The position was posted. Resumes were received, but Bobby Washington, interim head basketball coach, is recruiting who may be another coach’s team.In August, Washington was only two days into arriving at Grambling when player Henry White tragically died from extreme practicing conditions.
This was days before the NCAA’s approved beginning of supervised practices.
The entire coaching staff was let go sans Washington, who was in the Human Resources department filling out paperwork when the incident happened.
“We wanted to maintain some type of consistency, and the only thing that was consistent was Bobby Washington,” Athletics Director J. Lin Dawson said.
Without time to bond or recruit, Washington was handed a team of “emotionally strapped young men,” as Dawson put it.
“Grambling was not able to make to the tournament in five years, but we were able to make it,” he explained.
“We won to the number one seat and we were three points shy of a SWAC championship game.”
Twenty seven resumes are being reviewed from former NBA players, D1 level coaches, and coaches with international experience. Washington is among the applicants being reviewed.
A committee formed by Dawson will make a decision and their choice will be submitted to interim president Dr. Frank Pogue.
“The coach that we hire
has to able to culturally be able to fit.
“This is not Kentucky. This is not USC,” Dawson said
“They must be a university fit. We’re not hiring anyone throwing chairs and cussing at the players.”
With a record of four wins and 14 losses, Washington still recognized the positives of the season.
Washington repeatedly expressed his love for Grambling State University on his first day back in the office after spending days out recruiting for the team. He was excited about his prospects.
“My heart is in Grambling.I’m going to continue to work to take this program to the next level,” Washington said.
The Lexington, Ky. native’s previous experience included coaching at Seminole Community College in Sanford, Fla. and assistant coaching at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Fla.