WACO, Texas (AP) – Acting head coach Jim Grobe said Monday he has talked to Baylor’s assistant coaches, all from former coach Art Briles’ staff, about staying focused on football for the final four games of the regular season.
“I think we’re in a situation where everybody wants their perspective to be known, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. … So I would not say that I want to put a muzzle on our coaches,” Grobe said. “My problem is I want to focus on the 100-plus great kids and I don’t think we can do that if we’re fighting other battles right now.”
The Bears are coming off a 62-22 home loss to TCU, their second consecutive loss after a 6-0 start.
On the night before that game, the assistant coaches and several staff members issued a statement on Twitter expressing their support for Briles, who was fired in May. They were disputing claims by school regents that Briles knew of an alleged gang rape.
With the players wearing all-black uniforms Saturday, as selected by seniors for the rivalry game, a group sold black T-shirts supporting the popular former coach outside the stadium before the game. The shirts had the hashtag “#CAB,” which stands for “Coach Art Briles.” A banner with those letters was flown from a luxury suite inside the stadium during the game, and some players reportedly had those initials on black bandanas they wore.