Breaking News: Grambling Fires Doug Williams

By Steven J. Gaither

Posted on September 11, 2013

Doug Williams was fired after compiling a 9-16 record in his second stint as Grambling head coach. (Knox News Photo)

Once a favorite son, Doug Williams’ relationship with Grambling State may finally be over. Willams told the Monroe (LA) News Star that he was fired on Wednesday morning.  Grambling officials say running backs coach George Ragsdale will serve as interim head coach.

 Williams told The News Star he was called into Grambling State President Frank Pouge’s office, handed his walking papers and told he was no longer coach.

“There wasn’t a lot of conversation. I told him ‘OK’ and I was gone,” Williams said.

BREAKING NEWS: Doug Williams Has Been Fired From Grambling State http://t.co/jbRcaVwNWS
— TSPN Sports (@TSPNsports) September 11, 2013

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsWilliams was in his second stint as Grambling head coach. His first tenture was extremely successful, as he lead his alma mater to a 52-18 record and three SWAC Championships. His second stint at GSU, which began in 2011, was not as successful. He was just 9-16 overall, and 1-12 since leading the Tigers to the SWAC Championship in 2011.

#GramFam the official Doug Williams got fired celebration on the yard today 3 o’clock #Turnupppppp
— gram 16 (@grambling16) September 11, 2013

Williams was just in the second season of a three-year contract that was slated to pay him a base salary of $250,000 with the opportunity for bonuses totaling $100,000.

Williams is perhaps best known for being the first Black quarterback to win a Superbowl. He first entered the national scene as a strong armed, mobile quarterback for Hall of Fame head coach Eddie Robinson. He led the Tampa Bay Bucs to the NFC Championship game before heading to the USFL and eventually to Washington where he was named Superbowl MVP.

Grambling is schedule to play Lincoln (MO) in the Missouri Classic in Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday.
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Perspective: Firing Williams proved to be only a footnote in a season that produced a player-led insurrection later that season due to several issues, including subpar facilities and more. It eventually led to a boycott of the Jackson State game that season, bringing Grambling unwanted national attention.

While it was a season that the program and its supporters would like to forget, it ultimately laid the groundwork for Grambling’s return to glory under Broderick Fobbs. Fobbs led Grambling to back-to-back SWAC titles in 2016 and 2017, winning the Celebration Bowl and claiming the Black College National title in 2016.

Breaking News: Grambling Fires Doug Williams