Bennett Named Interim Coach At Baylor

Baylor defensive coordinator Phil Bennett was named interim coach of the Bears on Friday, the beginning of the program’s attempt to restore some semblance of order amidst a dark controversy that prompted Art Briles’ dismissal.

Briles, 60, was 65-37 in eight seasons while taking the program to unprecedented heights. The Bears have won 10 or more games in four of the past five seasons.

Bennett, 60, is a Texas A&M graduate and the university said he was not named in any of the investigative documents turned over by the law firm Pepper Hamilton.

In addition to the firing of Briles, athletic director Ian McCaw has been sanctioned and placed on probation and Ken Starr was removed as university president after Pepper Hamilton’s investigation revealed deep and troubling patterns of disregard for alleged victims of sexual assault and violence at the hands of members of the football team.

“I applaud the Board for its transparency,” Starr said in a statement. “It must be known, however, that I was not privy to any of the allegations regarding interpersonal violence until the fall of 2015, at which time I immediately launched an internal investigation before recommending to the Board an independent external investigation, which the Board then commissioned with Pepper Hamilton. 

“To those victims who were not treated with the care, concern and support they deserve, I am profoundly sorry.”

Additional administrative and athletic department personnel were relieved of their duties but weren’t identified by the university.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares