Ex-Grambling star blasts school over Art Briles hiring

Grambling State’s decision to hire Art Briles as offensive coordinator was always going to prove controversial. The school might not have expected such a backlash from one of its most famous players, however.

Doug Williams, the former Grambling State quarterback who went on to win Super Bowl MVP honors in the NFL with Washington, hit out at the school over the hire. He went as far as to say he could not support the program in light of the hire.

“I’m not a fan at all. I’m very, very disappointed in Grambling, I really am,” Williams told Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. “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.”

Briles’ position at Grambling State marks his first job in college football since departing Baylor as head coach. He was fired in 2016 over allegations that he ignored or covered up sexual assault claims made against numerous players. That alone made him viewed as toxic by virtually all of college football, but Grambling were willing to take the fall.

Photo: Nov 8, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Art Briles before the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports