Baylor hires Jim Grobe as 'acting' football coach

By foxsports
Published

Four days after Baylor suspended football coach Art Briles with the intent to fire him, the school has hired former Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe as its "acting" coach.

An introductory news conference is expected Friday, according to FOX Sports' Bruce Feldman.

Baylor moved to dismiss Briles after releasing the findings of an independent investigation into its handling of several sexual assault claims against Baylor players dating back to 2009.

Briles had been coaching the Bears since 2008 and had won 50 games in the past five seasons, but the school issued a complete repudiation of the way Briles and the school's athletic department responded to the allegations.

Art Briles

Grobe, 64, was 77-82 in 13 seasons at Wake Forest before resigning in 2013 at the conclusion of a fifth straight losing year. He did win an ACC title at Wake in 2006 and was 33-33 as head coach of Ohio from 1995-2000.

“Jim Grobe is the right leader at this time to move Baylor University and the football program forward,” Baylor VP and director of athletics Ian McCaw said in a statement. “He has successfully led two FBS programs during his career,” McCaw added. “Coach Grobe enjoys an impeccable reputation within the intercollegiate athletics community and is a man of great integrity and faith.”

Grobe will take over a talented Baylor roster that went 10-3 in 2015 under Briles, but the school likely will continue to search for a long-term replacement among a deep pool of possible candidates. He realizes there will be much more to the job than winning games.

"It is an honor for me to have the opportunity to join the Baylor football program during this important time,” Grobe said in a statement. “I am looking forward to getting to know and working with the coaches and players in the coming days, and I have great respect for Baylor as an institution and its long-standing heritage.

“As a coach, winning is important. At the same time, I want to assure the Baylor family that every decision we will make in this football program will be made with Baylor University, her students and our student-athletes in mind.”