Reports: Baylor brings in Jim Grobe as interim head coach
Baylor moved quickly to bring in an interim head coach.
Four days after Art Briles was fired amid an investigation into the school’s handling of multiple sexual assault accusations, Baylor has hired Jim Grobe to run the show – for the time being – according to multiple reports. The news was first reported by 247Sports.com.
Grobe last coached at Wake Forest. He resigned after the 2013 campaign – his 13th with the Demon Deacons. Grobe amassed a 77-82 record during his time at Wake Forest. He led Wake to five winning seasons, including an 11-3 record and Orange Bowl appearance in 2006. The Demon Deacons won the ACC title that year and Grobe was the league’s coach of the year. That season was followed up by 9-4 and 8-5 seasons, both of which ended in bowl wins.
Wake never had a winning record again under Grobe in his final five seasons.
Before he was hired at Wake Forest in 2001, Grobe compiled a 33-33-1 record in six seasons at Ohio. He also served as an assistant at Air Force and Marshall.
In the days following Briles’ removal, multiple reports indicated the school was leaning toward naming defensive coordinator Phil Bennett as interim coach. However, many felt – from an optics perspective – it would be a mistake to let a coach from Briles staff lead the program this season.
Former San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary, a former All-American linebacker at Baylor, was also considered, ESPN reports. Ex-Texas head coach Mack Brown’s name was also reportedly discussed for the interim role.
According to 247Sports.com’s report, the rest of Baylor’s staff is “expected to stay intact for the 2016 season” with Kendal Briles, Art Briles’ son, leading the offense.
The university will “conduct a full search” for a full-time head coach after the season, USA Today reports.
For more Baylor news, visit SicEmSports.com.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
