‘I’m Out!’ Washington-Ex Doug Williams Rips Grambling for Coach Art Briles Hire

Doug Williams will always have a special place in the Washington Commanders organization. He once had an even bigger one at his alma mater, Grambling State.

Williams is not pleased with Grambling head coach Hue Jackson's latest hire. On Thursday, it was announced that controversial former Baylor coach Art Briles is joining Jackson's staff as the new offensive coordinator.

“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, 66, was fired by Baylor in May of 2016 following an external investigation into accusations of sexual assault found school and football program administrators failed to adequately handle those allegations. Since then, he has coached in the Italian Football League and at Mount Vernon High School in Texas 2019-20.

During his time in Waco, Briles compiled a 65-37 record over eight seasons and led the Bears to two Big 12 championships. Following his firing, Briles released a statement claiming he was unaware of any sexual violence perpetrated by his players and denying he performed any cover-up during his tenure.

“Let me be clear: I did not cover up any sexual violence,” Briles wrote in 2017. “I had no contact with anyone that claimed to be a victim of sexual or domestic assault. Anyone well-versed in my work as a coach knows that I strove to promote excellence, but never at the sacrifice of safety for anyone.”

Williams, a one-year starter for the Tigers, threw for 3,286 yards and 38 touchdowns against 18 interceptions during the 1977 season. He finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting before being drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17th overall in the 1978 NFL Draft.

Joining Washington in 1986, Williams became the first Black quarterback to both start and win a Super Bowl in 1988 against the Denver Broncos. Williams threw for 340 and four touchdowns and was named Super Bowl XXII MVP.

Grambling State Athletic Director Trayvean Scott told ESPN on Thursday that school would support Briles and help him transition back to coaching at the collegiate level.

“I’m rooted in fact,” Scott said. “I know a lot of things are said and done. We felt it [was appropriate] to give him a chance to really redeem himself after understanding where the facts lie.”