Art Brylls resigned as offensive coordinator at Grambling State just four days later, the school confirmed Monday. Briles was named offensive coordinator on Feb. 24 by Grambling State coach Hugh Jackson, a decision that immediately drew criticism.
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of your coaching staff at Grambling State University,” Brails told Sports Illustrated. “Unfortunately, I feel that my continued presence will distract you and your team, which is the last thing I want. I have the greatest respect [for] the university and your players. ”
Braille was Baylor’s head coach from 2008-15 and was known as one of the nation’s most offensive minds. The Bears ranked 65-37 with their first two Big 12 championships and New Year’s six / BCS Cup venues in the program’s history.
However, Braille has not been a collegiate coach since May 2016, when he was removed and subsequently fired eight seasons after an independent investigation into Baylor’s attitude to sexual violence allegations during his tenure. A review of Pepper Hamilton LLP found that Briles and his staff failed to properly address the issues of Title IX on his team. Athletic Director Ian McCowy and University President Ken Starr have also resigned over the scandal.
The NCAA Violations Commission found that Briles was not guilty of any NCAA violations in August 2021. However, the commission concluded that Briles “failed to meet even the most basic expectations of how one should respond to the type of conduct in question in this case ”
Jackson, a former NFL head coach, was not deterred from becoming the first college coach to add Braille to his staff. He issued a public statement through his Hue Jackson Foundation, claiming that forgiveness, redemption and enlightenment were the key factors that led Jackson, a longtime NFL caller, to hire the controversial Briles.
“We have a clear understanding of the role that coaches and others who have a position of trust play in the love of those they meet,” Jackson wrote. “We also know and understand the process of identifying risks, helping others to heal and the importance of prevention. We believe that by hiring a Briles coach and the well-designed programs we have, this hiring will be instrumental in educating others to know how to prevent victimization, appropriate reporting procedures, providing adequate resources to those who are victims, and developing strong law enforcement partnerships within the community. “
Grambling State issued a statement to CBS Sports stating that the statement was Jackson’s only and did not reflect the school’s views.
“The Hugh Jackson Foundation is not part of Grambling State University,” the statement said. “It’s his own foundation and it operates independently of the university.”
Previously, former Miss South coach Jay Hopson was blocked from hiring Braille as an offensive coordinator in 2019. Hamilton Tiger-Cots of the Canadian Football League also hired Braille in 2017 before giving up public pressure. Braille was the coach of an American football team in Italy in 2018, and later was the head coach of Mount Vernon High School in East Texas from 2019-20.