Former Baylor coach and disgraced coach, he said he didn’t want to be a distraction at the prominent HBCU in northern Louisiana with a storied Football program. He left the program five days after he was surprised by Hue Jackson’s hiring.
Briles released a statement Monday saying that she was grateful for the opportunity to coach Grambling State University’s football team. “Unfortunately, my presence will cause distraction to you, your team, and that is not what I want. I have great respect for your university and players.
Since 2016, Briles has been considered a pariah of college football. Baylor fired Briles after an investigation found that he and his staff had not taken any action against the players involved in allegations of sexual assault.
ESPN reported first that Briles would no longer coach Grambling. It was not immediately clear if Grambling asked Briles for his resignation or if the coach did it on his own.
Although the baggage around Briles was well-known it didn’t stop Jackson making the hire. After being fired from Baylor, Briles was briefly a coach in Italy and at a Texas high-school.
Grambling’s decision was re-evaluated Monday by a Hue Jackson Foundation social media statement that had been posted three days ago. This was just the latest in a series of critical comments about the university.
Briles’ hire, according to the foundation, “will be instrumental to teaching others how to prevent victimization and proper reporting procedures, provide adequate resource for individuals who have been victims, and establish strong law enforcement partnerships within their community.”
Doug Williams, a former Grambling quarterback and the first Black quarterback to win the Super Bowl in 1988 with Washington, was among those who expressed dissatisfaction with the school’s decision not to hire Briles. According to the Washington Commanders NFL executive, the statement of the foundation didn’t change his mind.
Williams said Monday that he didn’t know what to make of the statement. “I don’t believe anything should be added. Everyone knows my thoughts about it. “I won’t change.”
The NCAA infractions panel found that Briles failed to conform to basic expectations regarding how one should respond to the conduct in Baylor. The head coach, who is a campus leader, is also held to a higher standard. This standard was completely broken by him.”
After firing Briles, Baylor paid Briles over $15 million. After firing Baylor, he later admitted to making mistakes and apologized.
Since 2016, this isn’t the first attempt by a coach to hire Briles. Jay Hopson, Southern Miss coach, tried to hire Briles in 2019 as the offensive coordinator. However, university administration resisted.
Briles, who coached Baylor from 2008-15 to a 65-37 win record, was widely considered one of the best offensive coaches in the nation. Spread offense was a key factor in keeping the Bears ranked among the AP Top 25. The program also had four 10-win seasons over a five-year period, from 2011-15.
Jackson was the former head coach for the NFL’s Oakland Raiders, and Cleveland Browns.
