New Baylor AD Mack Rhoades believes he can help the school "rebuild a tarnished football program with integrity and develop a culture in the athletic department that doesn’t tolerate sexual assaults," according to John Werner of the WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD. Rhoades yesterday held his introductory press conference, and said that he "wants Baylor to be a leader in dealing with sexual assault issues." Rhoades: "Sexual violence is a topic throughout our country and it certainly happens on other campuses, and this is an opportunity for Baylor University and certainly the athletics department to be a leader in how we deal and handle sexual violence." Baylor interim President David Garland "believes Rhoades is the right man to lead the athletic department following the resignation" of former AD Ian McCaw on May 30. And despite a "tension filled stint" at Missouri, Rhoades believes the school "made positive steps to deal with tough issues in its athletic department during his short tenure." Though Rhoades does not officially begin his tenure until Aug. 15, he "will spend the next few weeks exploring the issues Baylor has been dealing with" (WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD, 7/19). In K.C., Blair Kerkhoff notes Rhoades' rollout "went about as well as it could have," as he "hit the right notes." To hear Rhoades yesterday, family "was the primary reason" for his move (K.C. STAR, 7/19). In Topeka, Kevin Haskin writes Rhoades "spoke eloquently to begin what promises to be a demanding transition" (TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL, 7/19).
LOOKING AT THE ISSUES: Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby yesterday at the league's media days said that some of the conference's presidents think Baylor's recent scandal "has 'sullied' the conference's image." But despite the concerns, Bowlsby said that he "didn’t know if Baylor had broken any Big 12 or NCAA rules." He "reiterated several times that the conference is in the early stages" of an inquiry. He said the issue “isn’t going to go away soon” (WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD, 7/19). CBSSPORTS.com's Dennis Dodd wrote Garland "has to know that everything will be on the table" today when the Big 12 presidents "begin considering possible penalties against Baylor after its sometimes misguided handling of the sexual assault scandal." Bowlsby said of Baylor's possible expulsion from the league, "It's a long shot, but it's not an impossibility" (CBSSPORTS.com, 7/18). USA TODAY's Dan Wolken writes other than "transparently grandstanding and shaming a league member that has been guilty of two horrific off-the-field scandals in 15 years, it’s hard to envision what [the Big 12] can do and even harder to say what they should." Short of "kicking Baylor out of the league -- and that seems extremely unlikely, if not impossible -- does this really amount to anything more than the Big 12 trying to publicly wash itself of the stench?" (USA TODAY, 7/19).
LACK OF UNDERSTANDING? SI.com's Lindsay Schnell wrote under the header, "Big 12's Bowlsby Reveals Gross Lack Of Understanding Amid Baylor Scandal." Bowlsby's opening statement yesterday was him "basically admitting defeat in the fight against sexual assault." Schnell: "Thanks for that winning attitude, commissioner. Sadly, you’re right -- especially if people in charge (like you) don’t understand the problem to begin with. Let’s start with the fact that rape is not about 'raging hormones.' Rape is not about sex, either. Rape is about power. 'Raging hormones' do not cause rape. Rapists do." Bowlsby yesterday "appeared confused," but should get "credit for answering an endless stream of Baylor questions." But Schnell writes, "In keeping with the contradictory tone of the day, I’m not really sure what answers he gave." First Bowlsby said that Baylor has been “very forthcoming.” But then, when a reporter "quoted that back to him and asked if 'forthcoming' meant the Big 12 has been given everything they’ve asked for, Bowlsby responded by saying, 'That’s not quite what I said.'" Schnell: "No, Bob. It’s actually exactly what you said" (SI.com, 7/18). In Des Moines, Randy Peterson writes Bowlsby "has had better days and better moments in his four-plus years" as commissioner. He should have "used a better phrase [than 'raging hormones'] when talking about Baylor’s scandal-ridden program that includes sexual assaults against females and a cover up so widespread that it resulted in the canning of the head coach and the school’s president" (DES MOINES REGISTER, 7/19). SI's Andy Staples tweeted, "Bowlsby: 'Baylor has been very forthcoming.' ... Bowlsby, pressed on 'forthcoming' quote: 'That's not quite what I said.' No. That's exactly what you said." San Antonio Express-News' Mike Finger: "Bowlsby has contradicted himself so many times this morning he's becoming a new favorite to become Trump's VP." SB Nation's Steven Godfrey: "Bowlsby defers comment on Baylor coaches remaining on staff. 'I know what you know.' He JUST said B12 had info the public didn't."
