Fired Baylor Coach Art Briles: 'I Would Have Done Certain Things Differently'

WACO, Texas (AP) -- Former Baylor coach Art Briles told a Waco, Texas, television station that the report on the handling of sexual assault allegations commissioned by the school hasn't been shared with him and that he assumes it supports a conclusion already drawn by the board of regents.

KWTX-News 10 posted the statement on its website Thursday. It's the first time Briles has spoken out since being ousted by the board last week. The board moved to terminate Briles after eight years as coach of the Bears. The report commissioned by the law firm Pepper Hamilton stated school leadership, including Briles and his staff, inappropriately handled allegations of sexual violence made by students, some against football players.

Briles says his "heart goes out to the victims for the pain that they endured." He added, "I have certainly made mistakes, and, in hindsight, I would have done certain things differently."

"Keep in mind, the complete scope of what happened here has not been disclosed and unfortunately at this time I am contractually obligated to remain silent on the matter," he told News 10. "The report prepared by Pepper Hamilton, the law firm hired and paid for by Baylor's Board of Regents, has not been shared with me directly, despite my full cooperation with the investigation. I can only assume that the report, which is not independent, supports the conclusions that the Board has already drawn. I hope to share with you what I was aware of as soon as I can so Baylor Nation can begin the healing process."

Since the report was released, university president Kenneth Starr was demoted to chancellor, a position which he then left, and athletic director Ian McCaw also resigned.

Earlier this week, Baylor hired former Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe to replace Briles.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.