Former BU athletic director takes in Lady Bears game as a fan

Former Baylor Athletic Director Ian McCaw, who resigned in the wake of the sexual assault scandal at Baylor in May, was back on the Baylor campus for the first time since taking a new job at Liberty University, cheering on the Lady Bears basketball team.

McCaw and his wife, Heather, attended the women's game Thursday night at the Ferrell Center, sitting behind the bench with the family of head coach Kim Mulkey.

The No. 3 Lady Bears defeated Kansas State 87-57.

McCaw said despite the tumultuous last seven months, he was glad to be back in Waco supporting a university whose athletic programs he helped lead for nearly 13 years, and particularly a women's basketball program he watched win two national championships.

"It's been a special time to be back in Waco for the Christmas Holidays to see family and friends," McCaw said."

“It was a real treat to be able to watch the Lady Bears. I am so proud of Kim and the dynasty that she has built. It was a tremendous privilege to work with her for 13 years and be a small part of her championship teams."

McCaw and Mulkey have maintained a close relationship since McCaw resigned on May 30 citing the need for "healing" for the University.

When Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, hired McCaw on Nov. 28 it faced criticism from some who wondered what his potential role in the scandal.

Mulkey stepped in defending her former boss and Liberty President Jerry Falwell's hire, telling a Lynchburg reporter, "If I was the president of a university, I wouldn’t hesitate to hire Ian McCaw.”

Mulkey told KWTX she has the upmost respect for McCaw and was happy to have him in her stands.

"I was so glad to see Ian and get a hug from him,” Mulkey said.

“To have him continue to support Baylor and show up at games speaks volumes about him as a person.”

In a Dec. 18 interview with The News and Advance Newspaper in Lynchburg, McCaw addressed the controversy surrounding his hire and offered new details about how the job came about.

McCaw told the paper he was working as a consultant for Eastman and Beaudine after resigning from Baylor, where he planned to work at least another year.

He said he did not apply for the Liberty job, but rather was recommended to Falwell by former Baylor football coach Grant Teaff, who has a grandson who coaches on the Liberty football team.

"Grant Teaff was the first to make contact with me. I think he recommended me to President Falwell and certainly he is very familiar with me. He’s one of my mentors and he reached out and said he thought this would be a great opportunity for me and a very good fit for me in terms of who I am and in terms of the opportunity to grow it," McCaw told the paper.

When asked by the reporter what he would say to those on the fence about his hire, McCaw said "I think what people will find as they get to know me and see how I operate is I’ll earn their trust as we move forward."

Baylor hired Mack Rhoades as its new athletic director on July 13.

McCaw had a chance to speak with Rhoades briefly at the game Thursday and told KWTX he thinks Rhoades was a great hire.

"Baylor athletics is in great hands with Mack Rhoades and the exceptional coaching and administrative staff that is in place," McCaw said.

Meanwhile, McCaw said he is staying very busy since accepting the job in Virginia at a press conference on Nov 28.

"I am very honored to be the athletics director at Liberty. President Falwell provides outstanding leadership for the University. The opportunity to represent the world’s largest Christian University and an athletics program with tremendous potential is an ideal fit."

McCaw also told KWTX this won't be his last trip to Waco this year.

Baylor is hosting Liberty on Sept. 2 at McLane Stadium for its season football opener.