AP

Former Baylor coach Art Briles has expressed confidence that he’d be back in coaching next year, after being forced out of his previous job during a widespread sexual assault scandal, and the ensuing coverup.

And when he does, he’ll have an endorsement from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in his pocket.

Via Todd Archer of ESPN.com, Jones said he didn’t condone what happened at Baylor, but had nothing but praise for the coach who was forced out of the school earlier this summer.

“He’s a peer with his peers,” Jones said. “Certainly I think he would be a great asset to an organization, . . . at any level. At any level. He’s a football coach and really understands talent and can evaluate talent. . . .

“I would vouch for him as a person. He’s a top-quality person. I’d want my grandson, if he had the chance, to play for him.”

Briles visited Cowboys camp Tuesday, and watched practice alongside Jones and boxer Oscar De La Hoya. It’s the fifth NFL camp he’s visited this summer, along with trips to see the Rams, Browns, Bengals and Titans. Of course, he has a wide network of former players in the league, but he’s also sowing the seeds for future employment.

“I’m dumbfounded and trying to process everything as it goes, but it is what it is,” Briles said. “Reality is reality and so what I’ve got to do is redefine myself and start a new chapter. And that’s what I’m doing.”

Briles wouldn’t go into too much detail bout his departure from Baylor, but said he had learned from what happened there. He also said he hoped to find work as soon as next season. And he doesn’t think the cloud of what happened in Waco will follow him.

“Because I know who I am, I know what I’ve been for 60 years,” Briles said. “So people may doubt what you say, but they’ll always believe what you do and I’ve always lived my life in a righteous manner.”

Briles’ daughter Jancy worked for years in the Cowboys’ public relation department, which is at least part of the reason Jones was willing to speak out on his behalf.