Baylor AD Ian McCaw resigns

The upheaval inside the Baylor athletic department continued Monday as athletic director Ian McCaw announced his resignation.

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."

Earlier in the day, reports surfaced that former Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe would take over as interim football coach for the upcoming season, replacing Art Briles who was fired last week.

Briles had eight years left on his contract when he was let go on May 26 amid detailed and damning findings that revealed the football program turned a cold shoulder to alleged victims of sexual assault and violence.

His dismissal was prompted by the findings of independent law firm Pepper Hamilton, LLP, which conducted an investigation into how the school handled numerous alleged sexual assaults, including incidents involving several Baylor football players.

On that same day, McCaw, who hired Briles from Houston, was placed on probation and sanctioned by the university. Details of the report potentially led back to McCaw as responsible for oversight within his program.

The Baylor Board of Regents released the following statement late Monday afternoon:

"We understand and accept this difficult decision by Ian McCaw to resign as Athletic Director and are grateful for his service to Baylor University. We also appreciate Ian's commitment and involvement in bringing a person of integrity such as Jim Grobe to the University before making this decision."

While overseeing Baylor athletics since the 2003-2004 athletic year, the Bears enjoyed success in many programs.

Under Briles, the football team won two conference championships, the school celebrated two National Championships in women's basketball and two Elite Eights and a Sweet Sixteen by the men's basketball program.

The Baylor baseball team also claimed a Big 12 Championship in the 2011 season.

In addition to the firing of Briles, McCaw had been sanctioned and placed on probation.

Ken Starr will no longer serve as university president but will remain at the school in the role of chancellor and as a law school professor. David Garland will serve as interim president.

"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.