Grambling State head football coach Hue Jackson defends hiring of offensive coordinator Art Briles

Grambling State football coach Hue Jackson defended his hiring of new offensive coordinator Art Briles on Monday, after the school received criticism for the move because of campus-wide sexual assault allegations that led to Briles' firing at Baylor in 2016.

In a statement that was released on the letterhead of Jackson's foundation on Monday, Jackson wrote that the recent hiring of Briles was a testament to forgiveness, redemption and enlightenment.

«The Hue Jackson Foundation has been dedicated to fighting against ALL forms of sexual abuse and exploitation as well as other forms of racial and social bias,» Jackson wrote. «We have a clear understanding of the role that coaches and others who have a position of trust play in the lives of those they meet.

»We also know and understand the process of identifying risks, helping others to heal, and the importance of prevention. We believe that through the hiring of Coach Briles and the well-developed programs we have in place, this hire will be instrumental in teaching others the importance of knowing how to prevent victimization, proper reporting procedures, provide adequate resources to individuals who have been victimized and develop strong law enforcement partnerships within the community."

Briles, 66, had been out of college coaching since May 2016, when Baylor officials suspended him intent to terminate for his role after sexual assault allegations were made against students, including football players. He later reached an undisclosed financial settlement with Baylor, where he coached from 2008 to 2015, posting a 65-37 record and winning a share of back-to-back Big 12 titles in 2013 and 2014.

In an interview with KTAL-TV in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Thursday, Briles was