Ex-Wake coach Grobe hired by Baylor, Starr out as Chancellor

Baylor hired former Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe to replace Art Briles in the wake of a devastating scandal against the football team, athletic department and school as a whole.The move is clearly a “stability first” play designed to make Grobe an interim capable of keeping the entire football program from falling apart.”Jim Grobe is the right leader at this time to move Baylor University and the football program forward,” said Baylor Vice President and Director of Athletics Ian McCaw. “He has successfully led two FBS programs during his career. “Coach Grobe enjoys an impeccable reputation within the intercollegiate athletics community and is a man of great integrity and faith.”Grobe, who led Wake Forest to an ACC Championship in his 13 years heading up the Demon Deacons, stressed the importance of making decisions for the football program and not simply focusing on “winning.””It is an honor for me to have the opportunity to join the Baylor football program during this important time,” said Grobe, who has served as a college football analyst since leaving Wake after the 2013 season. “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.”The change in coaches is far from the full upheaval surrounding the program. AD Ian McCaw announced his resignation on Monday as well.Baylor released a statement from McCaw that read, “After much reflection and prayer, I have decided that a change in athletics department leadership is in Baylor University’s best interest in order to promote the unity, healing and restoration that must occur in order to move forward. I have always sought to put the University’s needs ahead of my own.”Two other aides were fired on Tuesday as well.Athletics director for football operations Colin Shillinglaw and staffer Tom Hill were relieved of their duties, according to USA Today.And on Wednesday Kenneth Starr was removed as Chancellor of the school.Removed as Baylor president and given a full-time chancellor role, Kenneth Starr will not serve in that role at the university. ESPN first reported the latest change at Baylor on Wednesday, noting that Starr will continue to teach in the law school.The independent review of Baylor’s administrative response to sexual assault allegations against a number of athletes, particularly in the football program, led to sweeping changes at the Waco, Texas, private university. Head coach Art Briles was suspended with the intent to terminate his contract based on failed oversight of the program.Starr was demoted from president last week and given the role of chancellor, which includes job responsibilities from external fundraising and religious liberty but no on-campus operational duties. Starr is credited for helping generate the funds needed to build Baylor’s new $266 million football stadium.Starr apologized to the “victims who were not treated with the care, concern and support they deserve.”The Sports Xchange contributed to this report