ESPN writer calls out Hue Jackson, foundation following Art Briles defense

Former Cleveland Browns head coach and current Grambling State head coach Hue Jackson recently defended the then-hiring of Art Briles by Grambling State University. Jackson through his foundation, the Hue Jackson Foundation, released a letter in support of the hire factoring in forgiveness, redemption, and enlightenment.

Obviously, the Grambling State coach supports his own decision, but there was still plenty of opposition to the hire given Briles history. And those who were opposed to it took exception with the letter from Jackson, and one person went so far as to be critical of his foundation and its finances. ESPN staff writer Dan Murphy reposted Jackson’s letter with the following attached to it.

“ The Hue Jackson Foundation collected $158,000 in 2019 (the most recent tax info available). It paid out $115,000 to its sole paid employee and spent another $15,000 on travel. It looks like they gave out roughly $4,000 in grants,” wrote Murphy.

Jackson on his Foundation

Jackson not only saw the post questioning the expenses of his foundation but took up arms to defend it and himself. And he did all this directly from the foundation page itself.

“ What you failed to report is where that money came from. Hue Jackson was the LARGEST donor and he PERSONALLY donated over 75% of the funds, I personally donated from my salary back into the organization as well. Our records are clean!” wrote Jackson.

All of this back and forth over the hire of Briles is not seemingly for nothing, as on Monday, it was reported that he would no longer be the offensive coordinator for Grambling State. So something prompted Jackson and Briles to reconsider the move. According to Briles himself, it was the fact he would distract from the program, he stated in a statement following his resignation.

Grambling State legend unhappy with Briles hire

Grambling could have the support of one of the university’s greatest student-athletes if Briles remained as the offensive coordinator. A four-year starter in the late 1970s, Doug 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.

“I’m not a fan (of the Briles hiring) at all. I’m very, very disappointed in Grambling, I really am,” said Williams, who enjoyed a 13-year NFL career, followed by a roughly 30-year career as a coach and administrator. Among his many coaching roles, Williams served two terms as Grambling State’s head football coach (1998-2003, 2011-2013). “I talked to the A.D. a couple times. They knew where I stood, but they did it and if that’s what they want to do, that’s fine. I’m out.”

“I know ‘Shack’ (James Harris, another Grambling State alumnus and former NFL player) is not a fan and I’m not a fan at all. I can’t condone it myself,” Williams continued, via The Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala.

When asked to elaborate on being “out,” Williams did not mince words, explaining that he will completely cease any support of his alma mater.

“Oh, no. I can’t do that,” he said. “No, no, no. If I support them, I condone it.”