University of Louisiana Board holds power to nix Grambling State’s hire of Art Briles

Earlier this week, Grambling State announced Art Briles is becoming its new offensive coordinator. However, he has to get through one big hurdle before taking on the role.

As of Friday night, Grambling State hadn’t informed the University of Louisiana System it plans to hire Briles, according to The Monroe News-Star’s Koki Riley. In order for his hire to become official, a majority is needed from the U of L board, which consists of 16 members. That vote could come at the next meeting, which is coming up April 28, Riley reported.

Riley added the board hasn’t denied a football coach’s contract, at least in the last five years. But given the reactions brought about by Briles’ hiring, it’s important to note it’s not a sure thing he’s coming aboard.

“It’s up to the board and our board takes things very seriously,” Cami Geisman, vice president of external affairs and chief of staff for the U of L System, told Riley. “They’re not a rubber-stamp board by any means.”

Briles’ spent five years as Baylor’s head coach before his firing in May 2016 after an external investigation into a sexual assault scandal. He hasn’t worked in college football since, and the position at Grambling State would get him back in the game.

Report: Grambling legend lashes out on decision to hire Art Briles

Grambling State University hired former Baylor head coach Art Briles as its offensive coordinator, a university spokesperson confirmed on Thursday, leading to significant backlash from Tigers legend Doug Williams.

Grambling State head coach Hue Jackson, formerly the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, hired Briles to replace former offensive coordinator Ted White, who left to become the Houston Texans’ quarterbacks coach. The hiring marks Briles’ first job in the college ranks since he was fired by Baylor in 2016.

Briles coached for five years at Baylor before his firing in May 2016, after an external investigation concluded that school and football program administrators neglected multiple accusations of sexual assault. Law firm Pepper Hamilton concluded that 17 women reported incidents of sexual assault or sexual violence involving 19 football players; Briles was informed of at least one of the cases, but he did not disclose the information with authorities or school officials. Briles vehemently denied that he withheld information from the university, but Pepper Hamilton wrote in its report that the football team “hindered enforcement of rules and policies, and created a cultural perception that football was above the rules.”

Now, Grambling is losing the support of one of the university’s greatest student-athletes. A four-year starter in the late 1970s, Williams led the Tigers to a 36-7 overall record and won three SWAC championships. He was named the Black College Player of the Year twice, and after leading the NCAA in total yards from scrimmage (3,249), passing yards (3,286), touchdown passes (38) and yards per play (8.6) as a senior, Williams was selected in the first round of the 1978 NFL Draft.