Ex-Baylor Coach Art Briles -- 'Certainly Made Mistakes ... Would Have Done Things Differently'

Fired Baylor head football coach Art Briles has broken his silence after getting the ax ... admitting he has "certainly made mistakes" during his coaching career ... and wishes he could get a do-over.

Briles -- along with several athletic dept. staffers -- was terminated in the wake of an investigation that proved Baylor was protecting football players in the wake of sexual assault allegations and in some cases retaliating against female students who dared to come forward.

Now, Briles has issues a statement ... and while he didn't specifically address the allegations -- he acknowledged he made mistakes during his coaching career.

"After 38 years of coaching, I have certainly made mistakes and, in hindsight, I would have done certain things differently. I always strive to be a better coach, a better father and husband, and a better person."

Briles says the report detailing the investigation into Baylor "has not been shared with me directly, despite my full cooperation with the investigation."

Briles also cryptically teases that he didn't know the full extent of the scandal:

"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."

The takeaway is that Briles will say he was NOT the primary enabler. Still, he ends his statement by praising Baylor.