Baylor University Football Media Conference Monday, January 20 2020 Waco, Texas And I think that's something we're doing really well right Dave Aranda now at Baylor. (Applause). And as we continue our path to becoming a Tier 1 Mack Rhoades Christian research university as outlined in our strategic plan Illuminate, excellence in athletics is Dr. Linda Livingstone actually encompassed in the fourth pillar of that Press Conference strategic plan where we speak to wanting to have nationally recognized programs in the arts and in athletics. So I am thrilled that we have found a new THE MODERATOR: It's an exciting day for Baylor coach who shares in this commitment to excellence. University and Baylor athletics and for Baylor football. And as we continue, let me introduce to you the I have to tell you I've also enjoyed reading some of the president of Baylor University, President Linda comments people have written about him on social Livingstone. media. They've described him as cerebral, a philosopher, a student, a ninja -- I need a little more LINDA LIVINGSTONE: Thank you so much. It's explanation on that one -- (laughter) and a genius. So, wonderful to see all of you here. We're thrilled to be Coach, I think you'll fit in really well here on our here for this special announcement today. John, thank campus. you for the introduction and also congratulations on your recent recognition as Texas Sportscaster of the And after meeting with Coach Aranda I know that he's Year. completely deeply committed to Baylor's Christian mission and developing champions for life. Today is a very special day in the life of Baylor and in the community of Waco. And certainly that's in part Coach Aranda, we welcome you and Dione, Jaelyn, because we get to introduce our new football coach. Jordyn and Ronin to Baylor. Know that the Baylor But we're also today celebrating and remembering the family is here to support you work with you. And we life of Reverend Martin Luther King and the indelible look forward to what the future holds. legacy he left on our country. Reverend King once said, "Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see And to Mack Rhoades, our vice president and director the whole staircase." of athletics. I think Mack must be the ninja of coaching searches. What a thorough, professional and We are so thankful to Coach Aranda, his wife Dione confidential search you conducted. Thank you, Mack, and children Jaelyn, Jordyn and Ronin for taking a step for your commitment to Baylor, our distinct role in of faith to join us as we venture up the staircase that is higher education, and the holistic development of our Baylor's future together. student-athletes. Athletics and football, in particular, have been an It's an exciting time to be at Baylor. We have a bright important part of the university for many, many years, future ahead. So we're excited to add the Aranda an important part of that journey. In fact, the very first family to that community and look forward to what is location for a football field on this campus was Carroll ahead. Sic-em, Bears. (Applause). Field, which was right in the heart of campus, where the Bill Daniel Student Center stands today. And today THE MODERATOR: President Livingstone, thank you if you ask students why they chose to come to Baylor, for your leadership of Baylor University. You stole my they'll tell you there are three main reasons: First, that line. So let me just turn it over now to the ninja of we focus on academic excellence within the context of coaching searches, not sure anyone does it better, a Christian learning environment; second, that we're a welcome Baylor's vice president and director of middle-sized university; and, third, that we play big-time athletics, Mack Rhoades. (Applause). athletics. Rev #1 by #188 at 2020-01-20 17:09:00 GMT page 1 of 9 MACK RHOADES: Wow, what an unbelievable turnout. The search committee, it really wasn't a committee, it Thank you for coming out and celebrating on such a was more like a club. It was a group of people that just special, special day. had great respect for one another. And there was a friendship amongst all of us. So I'd like to thank that As we were thinking about the criteria for our next head group. coach, the attributes, I will readily admit that ninja wasn't on top of the list. But we'll take it. It's a bonus. Walter Abercrombie, the greatest compliment I can give Walter is that if I was the athletic director while he But, again, what a great day and a really special day to was a student-athlete, he would have been one of my introduce our new head coach, Dave Aranda. There's a all-time favorite student-athletes. Walter, you're about favorite quote of mine or one of my favorite quotes by everything that's good and just appreciate you. Martin Luther King Jr., and I think it's appropriate for today. And it says, "If you can't fly, then run. If you can't Marcus Sedberry, our senior associate AD for student run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl. But athletic success, just appreciate your input and whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward." guidance and for always providing your opinion, even when I didn't want it. (Laughter). But appreciate it. And today, with Coach Aranda, we're not moving forward crawling, we're not moving forward walking, Mr. Paul Foster is a gentleman I first met in 2003 and we're not moving forward running, but we're moving just an unbelievable person. Just so much respect for forward flying. (Applause). him and just the way he values people. And he couldn't be with us here today but greatly appreciate him. As I thought about the significance of this day and what Martin Luther King Jr. stood for, I thought about And the first row here, Regent Larry Heard, this is the certainly equality for all, but this idea of brotherhood. second time that we've done this together. And we And the moment I thought about brotherhood, I thought were joking a couple days ago that he's now qualified about our football team, our young men sitting here to to be an athletic director. (Laughter) so just hold off a the left. bit, all right? But just what great wisdom and just appreciate your friendship and everything that you did. And I remember just walking in the locker room before every game and after every game and there was a And then finally Jeramiah Dickey. Many of you know great brotherhood. And that's why we won so many that Jeramiah and I have worked together since 2002, games. And there's not another group of young men 2003, and what a great person. And I think he's the that I would go to battle with than with our football team best number two in the entire country. I think he's the sitting right there. best football sport program administrator in the country. And just value him and his friendship and certainly (Applause). appreciate him. You know, when you embark upon a search, right, it's a And then the boss of this club, really the true boss of journey. And there's so many people that help you the entire search, my wife, Amy Rhoades. along the way and so many people that you rely on and you count on and ask questions and ask them to speak (Applause). in to you. And I want to take a few moments just to thank all of those wonderful people that helped get us After the Sugar Bowl, Amy and I had this great idea of here today. trying to spend five or six days quietly alone in the mountains and trying to reconnect, recoup from a great And certainly it starts with our leader, who has done fall season. And so blessed with so many great such an unbelievable job leading this university, coaches and student-athletes and certainly the football continuing to transform it, Dr. Livingstone. So thank season, and I think that lasted 24 hours. you, Dr. Livingstone. (Applause). But like always, she rolled with it. And even provided Now I'm going to ask everyone to hold their applause her opinion at times on who she thought we should until I'm finished thanking everyone else, but certainly hire. So my daughters are here, Nicolette and Natalie our chair of the board of regents, Chair Clements, and my son-in-law Andrew, just appreciate them. thank you for your unbelievable support and all of our board of regents, how they've supported our academic Dione, thank you for letting six strangers hang out in program long before I arrived and continue to do that your house for five hours. And Dione served us and grateful to them. jambalaya and gumbo and King Cake and we knew we Rev #1 by #188 at 2020-01-20 17:09:00 GMT page 2 of 9 had hired the right person. young men and challenging them to be the very best they can be, not just in football, but in everything in And then finally my executive team for just keeping their life. This idea of everything counts, everything things moving forward.