By Dorothy J. Gentry
Sports Editor
Grambling State University has fired its head coach just days before the famous Bayou Classic against in-state rival Southern University. No specific reason was given for the firing.
Dr. Trayvean Scott, who was hired as the Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics at Grambling in July, announced on the university’s website last week that head football coach Broderick Fobbs “has been relieved of his duties, effective immediately.”
Linebackers and Special Teams Coordinator Terrence Graves will serve as the Interim Head Coach for the 48th Annual Bayou Classic Saturday, Nov. 27at Caesars Superdome.
“Earlier today, I informed head coach Broderick Fobbs of my decision to make a change in leadership of our football program,” Scott said in a prepared statement. Prior to being hired by Grambling, Scott spent 10 years at Southern University where he was the Deputy Athletic Director/Chief Operating Officer and was responsible for the daily operations of the SU athletic programs.
Grambling competes in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and currently has a 3-7 overall record (2-5 in conference play),heading into the Classic in the midst of a three-game losing streak.
“Broderick Fobbs is one of the finest human beings I have had the pleasure to meet in this industry and he has been a tremendous role model and mentor to our young men. We appreciate his many years of service to our university and wish both him and his family nothing but the best. Consistent with our values as an institution, he deserves the utmost respect from the Grambling State University Tiger family throughout this transition.”
Per the school, a national search for a new head coach will begin immediately. Graves was unavailable for comments this week as he is preparing the team for the Bayou Classic. Per a university spokesperson, the first statements Coach Graves will make will be on Monday morning at the Bayou Classic Press Conference.
Fobbs guided the Tigers to a 54-32 overall record, which included two SWAC Championships, two Celebration Bowl appearances and a Black College Football National Championship. In addition, he was a three-time SWAC Coach of the Year.
The news of Fobbs’ firing was met with surprise by Dallas Civil Rights Attorney Daryl K. Washington, a Grambling alum who also played in the 80s for legendary coach Eddie Robinson.
“Winning is something we are accustomed to. It’s been a very disappointing season for a number of reasons, however, change is always a positive thing,” he said, adding that it was surprising to hear of the firing. Coach Fobbs is a graduate and former player (of Grambling) as well. I wish him the best of luck with all of his future endeavors. I hope that somehow it ended on a positive note because I love to see former G men have great relationships with the University.”
When asked what Grambling can do to move its program onward and upward as it searches for a new coach, Washington listed several items.
“We need to look into the program and make sure it has everything that it needs. In today’s environment, having a first class athletic complex and facility is a must. A lot of your athletes are coming from programs that have college-like facilities,” Washington said. “To recruit them you have to offer them something that is near or equal to what they are accustomed to.”
As Grambling begins its head coach search, Washington said they should bring in someone “who knows how to recruit players locally and nationally; that will be important in whomever becomes the next coach, and he must be able to get a buy in from the community as well as alums. That will be very important because everyone plays a part in the success of an athletic program.”
Most importantly, Washington said he hopes that Grambling University Football will get back to “an atmosphere that people enjoy being at on a Saturday afternoon.
“I am hoping that everyone – all Grambling graduates – come together as one family and do everything that we can possible do to get the program on the right track.”
