Baylor has hired former Wake Forest football coach Jim Grobe as its acting head coach.
Grobe, 64, has compiled a 110-115-1 overall record in 19 seasons as a head coach at Ohio and Wake Forest. He is tied for the most wins in Wake Forest history and led the Demon Deacons to the ACC title and Orange Bowl in 2006. He has been part of USA TODAY's Football Four Playoff Projection panel the past two seasons.
Baylor will conduct a full search after the season. Grobe, who has expressed interest in returning to coaching ever since resigning at Wake Forest in 2013, could be a considered in that search, but there are no guarantees beyond 2016.
247Sports first reported Grobe's appointment Monday.
“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 from the school. “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.”
Phil Bennett will stay on as defensive coordinator for this season, according to person with direct knowledge of the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity because no announcement has been made.
Baylor director of athletics Ian McCaw issued a statement on Grobe's appointment, saying, "the right leader at this time to move Baylor University and the football program forward." McCaw resigned his post hours later.
Baylor has had a vacancy in the head coach position since suspending Art Briles on May 26 with intent to fire him. Briles led Baylor to unprecedented heights for the program went 65-37 in eight seasons with the Bears, winning two Big 12 titles and reaching two New Year's Six bowls. But he had come under fire after two players in the program had been convicted of sexual assault and another was under investigation.
