Scott talks Jackson’s firing, next steps in GSU coach search

GRAMBLING — Grambling State is on an active search for its next head football coach.

After Hue Jackson was officially fired from his head coaching duties after two seasons Tuesday, GSU Athletic Director Trayvean Scott met with the media to address Jackson’s dismissal and the next steps in the coaching search for the storied HBCU program.

After thanking Jackson for his time at Grambling, Scott announced further firings, including assistant coaches Cedric Thornton (assistant head coach/defensive coordinator), Kenneth Delgado (defensive line), Dedrick Dodge, (safeties coach), Chris Scott (general manager/special teams coordinator), and Jamar Harp (special teams analyst).

“There will be a focused search for the next leader of Grambling State University Tigers football team, and it is at that point where we’ll move forward as a staff in time for recruiting and get ready to prepare our men for the 2024 football season,” Scott said. “I hadn’t slept much over the past couple days — really since Saturday, just kind of been thinking and really pulling as much data and information as possible to try and make the best, informed decision. When we had a conversation with the president yesterday and had some things to consider, and really this morning, I knew it was time to move the football program forward.”

Scott informed Jackson around 9 a.m. Tuesday of his dismissal and later met with players and the coaching staff to address changes.

But now that Jackson is out, how fast does Grambling want to move to make its new hire?

“We’re looking at about seven to 10 days,” Scott said. “I think that search has to be very intentional — very focused on certain attributes and specific characteristics that we want the next coach to have. And I don’t think everybody has that transformational ability. I don’t think everybody has that relatability. I don’t think that everybody really understands how special and how much of a privilege it is to be the head football coach at Grambling State University. We’re going to allow ourselves to be very transparent throughout the search, but also very detailed in identifying that leadership for the program.

“And I will say this, Coach Simon does have an opportunity to earn that position as well. We’re looking forward to it and that process is going to begin when I leave here and I’ll start pooling resources and do what we need to do to identify the next leader for the program,” Scott continued.

Jackson admitted throughout his tenure he needed time to embrace HBCU culture and traditions, including the added weight placed on Classics between rivals. GSU went 0-2 in the Bayou Classic under Jackson and failed to reach the SWAC Championship.

Those factors were among some of the attributes mentioned in Scott’s answer as to what kind of coach he’ll hire going forward.

“Somebody who can galvanize the base. Somebody who really understands that this is a very special place. Somebody that understands the expectations,” Scott said. “I was just having a conversation and one of our student athletes said, ‘I’m probably the only student athlete in the history of our institution, on the football side, to leave here and not won a championship.’ That’s significant. And we’ve got to identify of a coach who understands that and welcomes them because we’re not going to shy away from them, not just in football but in any sport.”

Scott also confirmed only the first two years of Jackson’s fouryear contract were guaranteed, and a rumor of the school owing him $800,000 is false.

“That’s the greatest misnomer of it all,” Scott said. “His contract is public record. It’s on the UL System Board of Supervisors website. Anybody with two eyes can read it and see the first two years of his contract were guaranteed. This $800,000 bill they’re trying to tack us with us is just a fallacy.

“Obviously, knowing and understanding the terms and conditions of Coach Jackson’s written agreement, we’re very intentional and transparent in understanding where we are financially and we’re able to obviously take it on. If not, we wouldn’t have made this decision in the first place,” he added.