On Monday morning, the owner of a 20.5 winning percentage as an NFL head coach announced through his foundation why he hired disgraced former Baylor head coach Art Briles as his offensive coordinator at Grambling State University. The college football world was shocked by the move, as Briles was fired from Baylor in 2016 in connection with team cover-ups of rapes. Jackson overlooked worthy Black offensive coordinators to go with someone like Briles, which was a gut punch to HBCUs.
Jackson predicted six years ago that Briles was going to get back to doing what he did before. I have been unfairly judged before. I don't try to do that with people. I try to take people for what they are, and I know I have talked to him a lot, so I'm not condoning anything.
The hiring of Briles was so upsetting that Doug Williams, the former two-time head coach and the program's most famous player, has stopped his support.
I am not a fan. Williams told the Washington Post that he was very disappointed in Grambling. If they want to do that, that's fine. They knew where I stood, but they did it. I'm out.
I can't do that. He said that if he supports them, he would condone it.
Jackson has been forced to release public declarations supporting him from his foundation, which is ironic since Briles is still on staff.
“The recent hiring of Art Briles as a member of the Grambling State University football staff has caused confusion and concerns that we would like to address.”
Jackson doesn't understand why a man who was the head coach of a football team at a university that was involved in one of the vilest sex scandals in the history of college sports would cause confusion and concern on a college campus. He lacks self-awareness and common sense, but he believes that Briles skill level is worth the baggage that comes with him. Briles denied knowledge of his players' crimes, but admitted to mistakes, despite the claims of a former student that over 50 girls had been sexually assaults and raped by more than 30 players.
“There were some bad things that happened under my watch. And for that, I’m sorry. ... I was wrong. I’m sorry. I’m going to learn. I’m going to get better,” he told ESPN in 2016.
“The Hue Jackson Foundation has been dedicated to fighting against ALL forms of sexual abuse and exploitation as well as other forms of racial and social bias. We have a clear understanding of the role that coaches and others who have a position of trust play in the lives of those they meet. We also know and understand the process of identifying risks, helping others to heal, and the importance of prevention. We believe that through the hiring of Coach Briles and the well-developed programs we have in place, this hire will be instrumental in teaching others the importance of knowing how to prevent victimization, proper reporting procedures, provide adequate resources to individuals who have been victimized and develop strong law enforcement partnerships within the community.”
Jackson thinks we're all stupid or that he's gambling on the dream that his team will be so good this season that this story will fall to the wayside. He wants us to believe that Briles was hired because he was a man who turned a blind eye to rape allegations and mishandled them. If a cannabis dispensary owner hired a crackhead to manage their inventory, they would know what to look for.
“This recent hire of Coach Briles is a testament to the importance of these key factors:
Forgiveness: We believe that all are deserving of forgiveness and without it, healing can’t begin.
Redemption: Redemption follows forgiveness. Going from surviving an experience into thriving through new experiences require a restoration of faith and an opportunity for improvement.
Enlightenment: It is our own experiences that give us the wisdom to teach others how to live in a world of respect and honor.”
Forgiveness, redemption, and enlightenment are all things that human beings need. Is it possible that the women and families that were forever changed by what happened at Baylor granted Briles forgiveness, or does Jackson think that his job is done?
Briles should be able to make a living in football, but it doesn't mean that he should be doing it on a college campus. After working overseas, Briles was allowed to coach high school football in Texas. With the return of the USFL, he could be an offensive consultant for a team. Something to keep him away from a college.
We haven't heard enough from Briles to know if he's been enlightened.
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. 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.
Problems don't get solved because of the last sentence. It is impossible to support victims while also protecting and supporting the people that hurt them. By Monday afternoon, Jackson's foundation was going back and forth with journalists who had questions about the organization's monetary intentions.
When Art Briles was hired last week, the story was about how he could be hired by Jackson. The story should be about why Jackson isn't good enough to run a football program or a foundation.
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