On Nov. 28, 2007, Baylor introduced Art Briles as its new head coach. The offensive genius from West Texas had his work cut out for him, taking over a program that had gone 35-101 in the Big 12 era, with zero bowl game appearances since 1994.
The longtime high school coach had worked wonders at Houston from 2003 to '07, his first college head-coaching job, and he signed a seven-year contract to do the same in Waco.
"My charge to director of athletics Ian McCaw was to locate a championship-caliber head football coach who embraced Baylor's Christian mission and could lead, inspire and win with integrity," Baylor president John Lilley said.