Nov. 26, 2001
Waco, Texas - Baylor University offensive coordinator Greg Meyer announced Monday his resignation from the Bear football coaching staff for personal reasons. Meanwhile, Head Coach Kevin Steele promoted secondary coach Paul Jette to co-defensive coordinator.
"This has been a difficult decision, but one I feel is best for myself and my family," Meyer said. "I will certainly miss the relationships that I have developed over the last three years with the players, coaches and others associated with Baylor University.
"I am also very proud of the improvement shown by our quarterbacks and the offense towards the end of the season. I know next year they will come into their own and wish the entire team the success they deserve."
Meyer came to Baylor in 1999 and has spent the last three seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. This past season, Baylor produced its highest passing yardage output (214.7 ypg) in 15 years, finishing fourth in the Big 12 in that category. The Bears also had their highest total offense production (310.5 ypg) in four years and their highest season point total (205) in five years.
Meyer's resume includes over two decades of coaching collegiate football, including a seven-year stint (1992-98) as offensive coordinator at Northwestern during one of the greatest turnarounds in NCAA history. He has also worked as an assistant at Toledo, Ball State, Wichita State and Arizona State.
As Steele prepares for his fourth season at Baylor next year, Meyer becomes just the second member of Steele's original Bear staff to move on.
"Greg is a personal friend and is a good assistant coach," Steele said. "You don't find many people with the type of character that Greg Meyer has. He has helped start us toward many of the goals we hope to reach as a program. Much of the credit for our offensive improvement this year goes to Greg's tireless work ethic.
"I wish him well in pursuing other opportunities," Steele said. "Greg will be an asset to any program he goes to."
Jette joins Brick Haley as a co-defensive coordinator. Jette came to Baylor a year ago after serving seven seasons at East Carolina. He has previously served as defensive coordinator at ECU (1994-98), Texas (1986-88), Miami, Fla. (1985) and Oklahoma State (1984). Haley, who also coaches Baylor's linebackers, has served as the Bears' defensive coordinator since 1999.
"Brick and Paul have developed an outstanding rapport in the past year," Steele said. "Their chemistry will provide our defense with outstanding leadership as we continue to improve."
Under Haley's direction in 2001, the Baylor defense posted its best season in total defense (418.2 ypg) and rushing defense (171.2 ypg) since joining the Big 12 in 1996.
