College football media reacts to Art Briles resigning at Grambling
By Scott Rogust
Days after being announced as the new offensive coordinator at Grambling State, ex-Baylor coach Art Briles has resigned following backlash.
Last week, Grambling State head coach Hue Jackson made news by announcing that he was hiring ex-Baylor head coach Art Briles as his new offensive coordinator. This led to significant backlash, considering the sexual assault scandal at Baylor that took place with Briles at the helm.
On Monday, a school spokesperson confirmed that Briles has resigned days after taking the offensive coordinator job.
The college football media world reacted to the news.
Former Baylor coach Art Briles has resigned as Grambling ‘s offensive coordinator. Briles had previously been in line for assistant jobs at Southern Miss & in the Canadian Football League in past few years, but ultimately was not hired
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) February 28, 2022
Always a good option: Don’t even hire Art Briles in in first place.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) February 28, 2022
It’s not due diligence. It’s assuming you’ll get away with it — as long as you ride out a brief wave of bad publicity.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) February 28, 2022
And don’t forget that Southern Miss tried to hire Art Briles, too. https://t.co/Gvy6PIFFag
Hue Jackson cited the importance of “forgiveness” as a reason for hiring Art Briles — a good reminder that the only people who can forgive are the ones who were hurt, and that the people who hurt others aren’t entitled to “redemption” simply because they once had power
— Charlotte Wilder (@TheWilderThings) February 28, 2022
I can’t wait for the behind-the-scenes deep dive of how in the *living fuck* this press release got WRITTEN, much less sent out to the masses.
— Jason Kersey (@jasonkersey) February 28, 2022
There is just no good way to spin hiring Art Briles. None. If you’re gonna do it, just admit that it’s because he can coach. https://t.co/RKor4OPohJ
Dear anyone in football: Don’t hire Art Briles. Send the $50,000 consulting fee to Dan Wolken https://t.co/npT4kd3dEm
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) February 28, 2022
Art Briles resigns as Grambling State offensive coordinator
Shortly after news broke of his resignation, Briles released the following statement, courtesy of Sports Illustrated.
“Thanks for giving me the opportunity to be part of your coaching staff at Grambling State University,” Briles said in the statement. “Unfortunately, I feel that my continued presence will be a distraction to you and your team, which is the last thing that I want. I have the utmost respect [for] the university and your players.”
Jackson sent out a statement on Feb. 25 through the Hue Jackson Foundation Twitter account defending his decision to hire Briles as his offensive coordinator. Doug Williams, Grambling State alum and former quarterback, told the Washington Post that he was not a fan of the hire and that he could not support the program.
Briles coached the Baylor football program from 2008 until 2015. After an independent investigation found that Baylor administrators failed to properly handle multiple sexual assault allegations against players, Briles was fired.
This was Briles’ first coaching gig at the college level since his Baylor firing. Now, he has resigned days after being given the job.
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