Art Briles, the disgraced former Baylor University head football coach, on Monday informed Grambling State University that he'll no longer be the school's offensive coordinator.
Briles told Grambling State in a statement obtained by ESPN that he did not want to be a "distraction" to the football team.
The decision by first-year coach Hue Jackson to hire Briles was met with backlash. Former Grambling State star and coach Doug Williams told ESPN's John Keim that he "can't support it" and that late Grambling State coach "[Eddie] Robinson is turning over right now."
Briles was fired by Baylor in 2016 after a campuswide sexual assault investigation led to an independent investigation and his subsequent dismissal.
As reported by ESPN's Pete Thamel, Briles thanked Grambling State for the opportunity to be part of the staff in his statement and added: "Unfortunately, I feel that my continued presence will be a distraction to you and your team, which is the last thing that I want. I have the utmost respect [for] the university, and your players."
The hiring controversy came to a head Monday, when a statement released by the Hue Jackson Foundation read in part, "We will continue to support Coach Briles and all victims of assault, violence, social and racial injustices and we will continue to provide equal opportunity for healing for everyone."
A similar scenario played out when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League attempted to hire Briles in August 2017. The team pulled its offer on the same day it was extended due to the resulting backlash.
Since going 65-37 over eight years at Baylor, Briles has coached two seasons at a Texas high school and another season in Italy, ESPN reported.
