Dec 3, 2016; Annapolis, MD, USA; Temple Owls head coach Matt Rhule hoist the American Athletic Conference football trophy during a post game celebration after defeating Navy Midshipmen 34-10 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Rhule was hired as the 27th head coach of the Baylor football team, the school announced Tuesday afternoon.
Rhule replaces interim coach Jim Grobe, who guided the Bears to a 6-6 regular-season record in 2016 after Art Briles was fired last May following a sexual assault scandal involving football players at the school.
“Baylor is a tremendous institution with a history of football success and I know the passion that so many have for the Bears will help bring the community together to reach even greater heights,” Rhule said in a statement. “I am excited to get started.”
Rhule, 41, coached at Temple for the past four seasons, leading the Owls to a 28-23 record and back-to-back 10-win seasons. He also has assistant coaching experience at Albright, Buffalo, UCLA, Western Carolina and the New York Giants.
The 24-ranked Owls (10-3) beat Navy 34-10 last Saturday to win the American Athletic Conference championship.
“Matt is the absolute right man at the right time to lead us forward and I am confident that his values are our values and that his teams and student-athletes will make us all proud, on and off the field,” Baylor interim president David Garland said.
Baylor president Ken Starr and athletic director Ian McCaw resigned in the wake of the scandal.
Former LSU coach Les Miles and Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin were also reportedly considered for the position.
