Grambling State football’s rejuvenation started this past December when former NFL head coach Hue Jackson was hired as the Tigers’ new head coach.
In his introductory press conference, Jackson, who replaced Broderick Fobbs, thanked Grambling legends James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams, paid homage to his Louisiana roots and promised to add a new chapter to the storied program.
“I am honored to be part of the Grambling family as the 14th head coach of the Grambling State Tigers football team,” said Jackson. “I am also excited to add a new and exciting chapter to this history, and to this great institution.”
This past week, Jackson added a new chapter to the program’s history, yet it wasn’t the good one that he hoped for.
On Thursday, Jackson announced that he hired former Baylor head coach Art Briles as his offensive coordinator.
And that was definitely offensive to many.
Briles led the Bears to national prominence, amassing a record of 65-37 during his eight years at Baylor. But he also disgraced the program by ignoring the culture of sexual assault that blossomed under his watch.
Between 2012 and 2016, multiple players were accused of sexual assault and rape during his tenure. Crimes were reported yet either no action was taken, investigations were delayed, charges were dropped, or, in the case of two players, they were tried and convicted.
On April 5th, 2012, Baylor football player Tevin Elliot raped a Baylor student at an off-campus party. 12 days after the victim’s report, Elliot was suspended and 3 days after that, he was arrested. Two years later, he was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
On October 19th, 2013, a Baylor soccer player accused defensive end Sam Ukwuachu of raping her at his apartment. Two months later, a school judicial official dismissed the charges, stating that the evidence essentially couldn’t back up her claim. Two years later, Ukwuachu was convicted of the crime and sentenced to 6 months in jail and 10 years probation. He served more than two months before being released.
While those two were actually convicted, many others escaped punishment.
That’s what Briles fostered and the type of player he coached and excused.
And while he was finally fired in 2016, he received $15.1 million in a financial settlement with the school.
While he cashed his millions, he left the school facing violations and lawsuits. But even more significant was the pain, suffering, torment, and humiliation his reign left on their victims.
Women were left coping with unspeakable trauma and fighting to recover their mental and physical selves. His response?
Basically, “my bad.”
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