There is a "small faction" within the University of Houston that will ask university president Renu Khator to consider bringing back Art Briles, according to a report from the Houston Chronicle's Joseph Duarte. Houston head coach Tom Herman agreed to replace Charlie Strong and become the head coach of Texas on Saturday.

There is also a small faction that will ask Houston president Renu Khator to consider bringing back Art Briles, sources say — Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) November 26, 2016

Briles was the Houston head coach from 2003-2007, leading the Cougars to a 34-28 record in those five seasons. He left to coach at Baylor and turned that program into a national powerhouse. Briles was fired in May for his role in the school's sexual assault scandal, which included allegedly failing to report a gang rape involving football players to the appropriate authorities.

It's not the first coaching job Briles has been connected to since his dismissal. Some at Baylor wanted to bring back the controversial coach, even selling shirts with his initials at a home game to protest his firing. There currently are reports that SMU head coach Chad Morris will likely replace interim head coach Jim Grobe at Baylor.

There were also reports connecting Briles to the LSU opening before the Tigers named interim head coach Ed Orgeron the full-time man on Saturday.

Duarte reported several other candidates for the Houston opening: West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen, Houston defensive coordinator Todd Orlando, offensive coordinator Major Applewhite, California head coach Sonny Dykes, Syracuse head coach Dino Babers and Tulsa head coach Philip Montgomery, who was an assistant under Briles at Houston and Baylor.

Twitter: @AdamGrosbard