Grambling State completes buyout of head coach Doug Williams' contract

Coach George Ragsdale

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  --  Grambling State University running backs coach George Ragsdale has assumed head football coaching duties, effective immediately.

Ragsdale becomes interim head coach as the Tigers head to the Missouri Classic in Kansas City with a 0-2 record. The G-Men finished the 2012 season with a record of 1-10. Head football coach Doug Williams was released from his position, effective immediately. The university has decided to move in another direction, buying out the remainder of his contract.

“We recognize Doug Williams’ many contributions to our football legacy,” said Pogue, “and we express our deep appreciation for his service to Grambling State University and we wish him well in the future.”

Ragsdale has coached in the SWAC and MEAC, including coaching at North Carolina A&T State University, Norfolk State University, Morris Brown College and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He was a four-year letterman at A&T, his alma mater, and he still holds the school’s all-time rushing record and he helped the school reach its first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship in 1975.

Ragsdale played with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Washington Redskins. He also played in the United States Football League (USFL) with the Oklahoma Outlaws.

The university will have no further comment at this time.

COURTESY GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS