Art Briles resigned his new position as the offensive coordinator at Grambling State, just four days after the school confirmed it had hired the disgraced ex-coach.
Briles had been out of college football since he was fired as the head coach at Baylor before the 2016 season after an independent investigation into a widespread sexual assault scandal in the Bears’ football program.
“I feel that my continued presence will be a distraction to you and your team, which is the last thing I want,” Briles wrote to Grambling head coach Hue Jackson in a statement obtained by multiple outlets. “I have the utmost respect (for Grambling State) and your players.”
Jackson was named the coach at Grambling in December. He had previous stops as head coach of the Oakland Raiders (2011) and Cleveland Browns (2016-18), with experience at offensive coordinator at four NFL teams (Washington, Atlanta, Oakland, Cincinnati).
Due to the immediate blowback Briles’ hiring received, Jackson released a statement via his foundation Friday defending the choice and calling it “a testament to the importance of” forgiveness and redemption.
“As we move forward together with Coach Briles, we ask that people keep in mind that no matter your views on this topic, please remember that people can and often do become re-traumatized and re-victimized by statements which may or may not be accurate,” Jackson’s statement said in part. “We will continue to support Coach Briles and all victims of assault, violence, social and racial injustices and we will continue to provide equal opportunity for healing for everyone.”
Briles’ teams finished in the top 20 four times in his eight seasons at Baylor, where he went 65-37 with six bowl appearances.
But he was ousted, and former university president Ken Starr stepped down, after a law firm investigating whether Baylor properly handled sexual assault allegations found “significant concerns about the tone and culture within Baylor’s football program as it relates to accountability for all forms of athlete misconduct.” Briles was blamed, as well, for not properly vetting transfers who had been dismissed from their previous teams.
Overall, Briles compiled a 99-65 record in 13 seasons as a head coach at Houston (2003-07) and Baylor (2008-15), leading the Bears to Big 12 championships in 2013 and 2014.
–Field Level Media
