Art Briles resigns as Grambling State offensive coordinator

Art Briles stepped down as Grambling State's offensive coordinator hours after the Tigers defended their decision to hire him, a school spokesperson told Chris Vannini of The Athletic on Monday.

Briles hasn't coached in the NCAA since Baylor fired him in 2016. The school found him responsible for the mishandling of several sexual assault complaints against players.

"Unfortunately, I feel that my continued presence will be a distraction to you and your team, which is the last thing that I want," Briles said in a statement obtained by ESPN's Pete Thamel. "I have the utmost respect (for) the university and your players."

The Tigers faced backlash after adding the controversial coach to their staff. College Football Hall of Fame quarterback Doug Williams, an alum of the program, was among the figures to speak out against the hire. First-year head coach Hue Jackson indicated he would forge ahead with Briles hours before he resigned.

"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," Jackson said as part of a lengthy statement issued by the Hue Jackson Foundation.

Briles ran a successful program on the field at Baylor, winning two Big 12 championships in eight seasons while perennially boasting a prolific offense. He's coached in Italy and at Mount Vernon High School in Texas since his ouster from Baylor. The 66-year-old was set to coach in the CFL in 2017 before the league intervened.