Baylor reportedly is considering a selfimposed bowl ban for the 2018 season.
Multiple sources told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram the NCAA’s multiyear investigation into the Baylor athletic department has taken a “left turn” to the point that school officials are being advised to self-impose sanctions.
Sources said the law firm representing Baylor in its investigation with the NCAA has recommended to school officials that it impose a one-year bowl ban for the 2018 season.
Sources said the NCAA has recently interviewed former Baylor football coach Art Briles, former Baylor president Ken
Starr and former Baylor athletic director Ian
McCaw; those interviews could have changed the NCAA’s direction on this case.
The university issued a statement in response to the Star-Telegram report: “It is irresponsible to report that Baylor is considering a football bowl ban for the 2018 season when in fact the NCAA investigation into the prior football staff and previous athletics administration remains active and ongoing. Additionally, it is premature to speculate as to what the University’s sanctions will be at this point in time.”
The law firm representing Baylor in the matter is suggesting a bowl ban as a show of good faith to the NCAA that it’s taking this matter seriously, and looks to work with the NCAA rather than against it. Baylor wants to avoid any reduction in scholarships, practice time, or fines, etc.
A bowl ban would not have serious ramifications to the long-term health of the program. Under firstyear coach Matt Rhule last season, the Bears finished 1-11, and a bowl bid in 2018 does not appear likely.
Baylor has paid millions of dollars to improve its Title IX office and procedures.
Those procedures are a sticking point for the Big 12; as long as Baylor follows that, sources said the league will have no additional complaints.