Thank you, Coach Grobe!

On Dec. 27, Jim Grobe will coach his last game at Baylor, as he guides the Bears in the 2016 Cactus Bowl before turning over the reins completely to new head coach Matt Rhule.

This likely will be Grobe’s last game as a head coach, as he and his wife, Holly, return to the benefits of retirement life (including at least one scheduled vacation that the couple had to postpone when he accepted this job). But as he leaves the daily stresses of leading a big-time football program, we — the Baylor family — say to Jim Grobe, “Thank you.”

Many of those around the football program have already said so, both publicly and privately. For instance:

Seth Russell, senior quarterback: “You say ‘Jim Grobe,’ that’s one of the finest men in college football. We all highly respect him. He didn’t have to do this… He came in and trusted the system and knew there were good guys here.”

Aiavion Edwards, senior linebacker: “He’s a great guy, he’s here for us, and we love him. We’re just glad that he was here to take over.”

Jordan Feuerbacher, junior tight end: “It’s hard not to like Coach Grobe. He’s got a great personality, and you can tell he really cares about us. He gained respect [with the team] really quickly.”

Mack Rhoades, Director of Athletics: “Jim is a true servant-leader who has handled the challenges of the season with grace and professionalism. We cannot thank them enough for what they’ve done for Baylor Football this fall.”

David Garland, Interim President: “Jim Grobe has been a true champion for Baylor University. We are grateful for his leadership and his investment in the lives and experiences of our student-athletes. We are forever in his debt for his service, and he and Holly will always be a part of our Baylor family.”

Tuesday night, the Baylor community held a small public gathering to thank Coach Grobe, at which words like “servant,” “love” and “blessing” were repeatedly used to describe the Bears’ head coach and his time here. As Rhoades noted, even at an event expressly designed to celebrate Coach Grobe, “It was never, ever, ever about him. It was always about the players… About how he could serve and help.”

Coach Grobe, we thank you for your service over the last year. We thank you for the care you showed our football student-athletes, as they navigated an unbelievable year. We thank you for what you have given of yourself. And we thank you for the sacrifices you made on behalf of our university.

Sic ’em, Coach Grobe!