Tag: Grambling

Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Will Kacmarek (89) catches a touchdown pass in front of Grambling State Tigers linebacker Marcellius Johnson (43) during the first half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025.

Julian Sayin throws four TDs as No. 1 Ohio State torches Grambling

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Julian Sayin had a near perfect game when No. 1 Ohio State pounded Grambling State 70-0 in Columbus on Saturday.

Sayin, in his second career start, set a school record for consecutive completions to start a game (16) and through two quarters was 18 of 19 for 306 yards and four touchdowns. Two went to Jeremiah Smith, including an 87-yarder as the Buckeyes cruised to a 35-0 lead.

Sayin, Smith and many of the starters did not play in the second half.

The previous record for completed passes in a row to start a game was Will Howard’s 13 in the College Football Playoff title game in January.

The Tigers (1-1), an FCS school, were no match for the Buckeyes and Sayin was 10 for 10 for 218 yards with three touchdowns in the first 10:50 of the game. By comparison, the Buckeyes (2-0) had 203 total yards in defeating then-No. 1 Texas 14-7 in their Aug. 30 opener.

Sayin connected with Will Kacmarek on a 47-yard score to make it 7-0 and on the first snap of the next possession from the Ohio State 13-yard line, Smith was wide open at the 45 and went untouched for the fourth longest play from scrimmage in Ohio State history and the second-longest pass play in school history behind a Kenny Guiton to Devin Smith 90-yard TD at California in 2013.

Smith added a 9-yard touchdown early in the second quarter and finished with five catches for 119 yards. Carnell Tate had a 13-yard TD catch as part of his five receptions for 65 yards.

Sayin fell one pass short of tying the program record for consecutive completions set by C.J. Stroud in 2021 against Michigan State when he was intercepted by Tyrell Raby at the Grambling 1 on his 17th attempt.

The Buckeyes made it 42-0 just 10 seconds into the third quarter on a 23-yard scoop-and-score by Riley Pettijohn.

Ohio State backup Lincoln Kineholz was 6 of 7 for 71 yards and a touchdown and freshman Bo Jackson in the second half rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson paces the sidelines in the second quarter during the NFL game between the San Diego Chargers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, at Paul Brown Stadium, in Cincinnati, Ohio. 092015 Bengals Chargers Syndication Cincinnati

Grambling State parts ways with coach Hue Jackson

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Grambling State relieved head coach Hue Jackson of his duties on Tuesday after two seasons.

Co-offensive coordinator John Simon was elevated to interim head coach while the university launches a national search for its next full-time hire.

The Tigers posted a 5-6 record this season, finishing with a 27-22 loss to rival Southern University on Saturday in the annual Bayou Classic in New Orleans.

Jackson, 58, has an overall record of 8-14 (6-10 SWAC) during his tenure with Grambling.

The former NFL head coach was hired on a four-year contract with an annual salary of $400,000, but only the first two years were guaranteed.

“We want to thank Coach Jackson on his contributions to the GSU football program. We wish him well in all his future endeavors,” Dr. Trayvean Scott, Grambling vice president of intercollegiate athletics, said in a statement. “This was not an easy decision to make but one that we felt was necessary to move our program forward. The goal at GSU is to compete for championships every year. As we move forward, we will be intentional in finding the right person to lead this program back to its rightful place as one of the top programs in the country.”

Prior to Grambling, Jackson was the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Tennessee State for the 2021 season. His 30-plus years of coaching experience at the collegiate and professional levels includes a stint at Southern California in the late 1990s, where he helped recruit and groom Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Carson Palmer (2002).

Jackson coached in various positions in the NFL starting in 2004 with his first of three stints with the Cincinnati Bengals. He also held coaching positions with the Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns.

He was head coach for the 2011 season with the Raiders, finishing 8-8 before being fired.

Jackson was hired as head coach of the Browns in 2016, becoming the first coach since 2008 to start a season 0-14. The Browns finished that year at 1-15 and followed it up by becoming only the second team in NFL history to finish 0-16. He was fired after starting the 2018 season at 2-5-1.

–Field Level Media

Dec 9, 2018; Carson, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals special assistant to the head coach Hue Jackson watches from the sidelines in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Grambling’s Hue Jackson defends hiring of Art Briles

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Grambling State football coach Hue Jackson on Monday defended the controversial hiring of Art Briles as offensive coordinator.

Briles has been out of college football since he was fired as the head coach at Baylor in 2016 after an independent investigation into a widespread sexual assault scandal in the Bears’ football program.

Jackson, who was named the coach at Grambling in December, said the decision to bring Briles aboard was not taken lightly.

“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 in a statement released by the foundation. “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, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity at Grambling in an interview last week with KTAL-TV in Shreveport, La.

“I’ll do exactly what I’m required to do and what they expect of me, which is to be a very solid citizen, to be a positive leader on a day-in and day-out basis, to do everything I can do to protect our students and our student-athletes on campus and to represent the Grambling University to the best of my ability because I’m very humble and grateful to be at this university,” Briles said.

Briles’ teams finished in the top 20 four times in his eight seasons at Baylor, where he went 65-37 with six bowl appearances.

Overall, Briles compiled a 99-65 record in 13 seasons as a head coach at Houston (2003-07) and Baylor (2008-15), leading the Bears to Big 12 championships in 2013 and 2014.

“As we move forward together with Coach Briles, we ask that people keep in mind that no matter your views on this topic, please remember that people can and often do become re-traumatized and re-victimized by statements which may or may not be accurate,” Jackson’s statement said. “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.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; A general picture of a Grambling State Tigers helmet on the sideline of the game between the Houston Cougars and the Grambling State Tigers at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Ex-Baylor coach Art Briles named OC at Grambling State

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Art Briles, who left his job as head coach at Baylor in disgrace, has been hired as the offensive coordinator at Grambling State, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

247Sports said a Grambling spokesperson confirmed the hiring of Briles but added the school would not be issuing an official statement. Instead, “a local TV station did an exclusive interview and we are allowing for them to tell that story,” the spokesperson said, per 247Sports.

Grambling’s head coach, former Cleveland Browns and then-Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson, has not commented.

Briles, 66, last coached at the college level in 2015. Baylor terminated Briles’ contract before the 2016 season following a widespread sexual assault scandal in the Bears’ football program.

Most recently, Briles spent two seasons as the head coach of Mount Vernon High School in Texas. He resigned following the 2020 season.

Briles was hired at the University of Houston as head coach in 2003. Following five mostly successful seasons and three bowl games with the Cougars, Baylor tabbed Briles as head coach.

Briles’ teams finished in the top 20 four times in his eight seasons at Baylor, where he went 65-37 with six bowl appearances.

In 2019, Briles was close to being hired for the offensive coordinator job at Southern Miss, until negative backlash followed a Biloxi Sun Herald report that Briles was on the Hattiesburg campus for an interview. The school quickly reversed course amid criticism.

An opportunity to work as an assistant coach in the Canadian Football League also was rescinded after community response.

Overall, Briles compiled a 99-65 record in 13 seasons as a head coach at Houston (2003-07) and Baylor (2008-15), leading the Bears to Big 12 championships in 2013 and 2014.

–Field Level Media

Dec 9, 2018; Carson, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals special assistant to the head coach Hue Jackson watches from the sidelines in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Grambling introduces Hue Jackson as head coach

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Grambling State introduced Hue Jackson as the program’s 14th head football coach Friday.

Jackson, 56, is a former NFL head coach with the Cleveland Browns (2016-18) and then-Oakland Raiders (2011). He spent the 2021 season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Tennessee State.

This is Jackson’s first head coaching position at the collegiate level. His extensive NCAA and NFL resume includes the offensive coordinator positions at Cal and Southern California, and in the NFL with Washington, Atlanta Falcons, the Raiders and Cincinnati.

He amassed a 3-36-1 record with the Browns, including 0-16 in 2017, and was fired after a 2-5-1 start to the 2018 season. He was 8-8 with the Raiders.

Jackson reportedly signed a four-year contract. He replaces Broderick Fobbs, who was fired on Nov. 15 after compiling a 54-32 record in eight seasons with the Tigers. The Tigers were 4-7 in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2018; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals special assistant to the head coach Hue Jackson takes the field during warmups prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Grambling to name Hue Jackson head coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Grambling State will name Hue Jackson as its new head football coach, multiple outlets reported.

The school has scheduled a press conference for Friday morning.

Jackson, 56, is a former NFL head coach with the Cleveland Browns (2016-18) and then-Oakland Raiders (2011) and spent the 2021 season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Tennessee State.

Jackson never has been a head coach at the collegiate level, but his extensive NCAA and NFL resume includes the offensive coordinator positions at Cal and Southern California and in the NFL with Washington, Atlanta Falcons, the Raiders and Cincinnati.

He amassed a 3-36-1 record with the Browns, including 0-16 in 2017, and was fired after a 2-5-1 start to the 2018 season. He was 8-8 with the Raiders.

He would replace Broderick Fobbs, who was fired on Nov. 15 after compiling a 54-32 record in eight seasons with the Tigers. The Tigers were 4-7 in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers former quarterback Peyton Manning and his son Marshall before the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Manning foundation endows scholarships at 6 HBCU campuses

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Peyton Manning’s foundation has created endowed scholarships at six Historically Black College and Universities.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported Sunday that the Peyback Foundation has instituted the scholarships at Grambling State, Southern and Tennessee State, along with three schools not known for athletics: Fisk University in Tennessee, and Dillard and Xavier universities, both in Louisiana.

The PeyBack Foundation — which Manning oversees with his wife, Ashley — makes awards to assist disadvantaged groups of children. Many of the foundation’s contributions are made in Louisiana, where Manning grew up; Tennessee, where he played collegiately; and in Indiana and Colorado, where he won Super Bowls with the Colts and Broncos.

ESPN said the foundation made the donations anonymously, but Manning’s connection came out when former NFL quarterback Doug Williams pushed to find out who endowed a scholarship in his name at his alma mater, Grambling State.

“Ha, you know I have my connections at Grambling. I made a phone call and found out it was Peyton Manning’s foundation and it was endowing a half-dozen scholarships at Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said Williams, now a senior executive with the Washington Football Team, per ESPN. “Peyton is a Louisiana boy. I know he’s given to a lot of wonderful causes without publicity but this was a most pleasant surprise for me.”

The scholarship at Southern, in Baton Rouge, La., bears the name of Pro Football Hall of Fame member Harold Carmichael, and at Tennessee State, it’s endowed in memory of Wilma Rudolph, an alum and three-time gold medalist in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.

Manning declined to comment to ESPN but issued a statement that read:

“The PeyBack Foundation is honored to partner with these six colleges to honor distinguished Alumni and staff members, and to help college students at these schools now and many years to come. Really, for perpetuity.”

–Field Level Media