Art Briles Resigns As Grambling OC Under Hue Jackson After Criticism

Art Briles won't be Grambling's offensive coach.

Briles resigned from Jackson's staff on Monday. According to Pete Thamel, Briles wouldn't be the offensive coordinator.

The initial decision to hire Briles drew a lot of criticism.

He was going to be his first collegiate coaching job since he was fired by Baylor in 2016 after an independent investigation found that the university mishandled allegations of sexual violence and intimate partner violence by football players.

Briles said in a statement that he felt that his presence would be a distraction to the team.

On Saturday, Koki Riley of the Monroe News-Star reported there were still some hurdles to clear before Briles was officially the offensive coordinator.

Jackson defended the decision to hire Briles before the former Cleveland Browns coach resigned, according to a report.

"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."

From 2003 through 2007, Briles was the coach of Houston and from 2008 through 2015, he was the coach of Baylor. He had a combined 99-65 record during those two stops.

In August, the NCAA announced penalties for various violations that included impermissible benefits for student-athletes. The more serious allegations were outside of its jurisdiction.

The Division I Committee on Infractions hearing panel said thataylor admitted to moral and ethical failings in its handling of sexual and interpersonal violence on campus but argued that it did not constitute violations of NCAA rules. To arrive at a different outcome, the committee would have to ignore the rules that the Association has adopted. The integrity of the process is at stake.

The lawyer for Briles, Scott Tompsett, released a statement saying that the ruling clears the way for Briles to return to a college job.

The Grambling program made headlines when it hired Jackson in December because the former NFL coach was on the sideline for the Cleveland and Oakland Raiders.

Grambling went 4-7 in the 2020 season and 0-4 in the 2021.