Ukwuachu's high school coach defends Baylor's Briles

The high school football coach of Sam Ukwuachu said he was unaware of the former Baylor player’s domestic violence history and that he had no discipline problems with him.

Pearland coach Tony Heath said Boise State coaches told him they were concerned about his well-being but did not mention any violent incidents.

Ukwuachu, who was dismissed by Boise State before transferring to Baylor in 2013, was sentenced Friday in a Waco court to six months in jail and 10 years’ probation after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a former Baylor women’s soccer player in October 2013.

Baylor coach Art Briles has come under fire for allowing Ukwuachu to transfer into his program despite disciplinary problems at Boise State.

Briles insisted he was not told of Ukwuachu’s history of violence “beyond Sam being depressed, needing to come home.” Former Boise State coach Chris Petersen said in a statement Friday that he “thoroughly apprised Coach Briles” of the player’s “disciplinary record and past.”

Baylor President Ken Starr has called for an internal investigation into the situation.

Heath defended Briles in an interview with Waco radio station KRZI/1660 AM.

“What Art said in his statement is exactly what I was told by the Boise State coaching staff,” he said.

(h/t Ft. Worth Star-Telegram)