Mack Rhoades was named the Vice President and Director of Athletics at Baylor on Wednesday afternoon. Shortly thereafter, Missouri tabbed Deputy Director Wren Baker as its interim AD to take over for Rhoades. On Thursday night, Baker spent a few minutes talking with PowerMizzou.com
PowerMizzou.com: Have you gotten any indication from Mack that he would want you to follow him to Baylor and is that something you would entertain?
Wren Baker: “I have great respect for Mack. We knew each other before I came here, he hired me, obviously, but when I was at Memphis and he was at Houston, we had a relationship then. I have a lot of respect for him. We have not had any discussions about me and leaving or going with him. My thought is my family is very happy here. I’m very happy here. I’ve enjoyed both when I lived in Maryville when I was at Northwest Missouri State and now living in Columbia, enjoyed living in Missouri. It reminds me a lot of home. I’m from Oklahoma. Chancellor Foley has given me an opportunity to provide some leadership as the interim I’m gonna do that. I would love to be at Mizzou and continue to move us forward.”
PM: I assume that you would have interest in being the full time athletic director. First, is that correct? And second, if so, do you treat this period of time as, audition is a bad word, but as an audition?
WB: “I want to be an athletic director at this level. I was an athletic director at two smaller inst. I think Chancellor Foley and the Curators and some key individuals, they have to decide what the profile of the next athletic director looks like, who they want, what they seek. That’s not something that’s in my control. I don’t know what they’re looking for. If I don’t match what they’re looking for, that’s one thing. They’ve got to make that decision. I think I’ve got a great opportunity to get some tremendous experience leading an SEC institution, a great institution, that has gone through some difficult times but has a high ceiling and I believe we’ve only touched the type of success that we can have. I don’t want to be a placeholder and be in neutral or tread water. That’s not who I am. I look at this as a chance to be an athletic director for an interim period of time. During that time I want to make sure that we continue to advance.”
PM: With an interim chancellor, an interim president and five Curators up for review in January, it’s a really strange situation. Have you been given any indication if this interim term is a couple weeks, a couple months, do you have any idea?
WB: “We have not discussed timeline at this point. The Chancellor and I have had a brief conversation, we’ve exchanged some other communications. We have not talked what the timeline will be. I’m sure that there’s still some discussion on what that should be. Objectively, I think Chancellor Foley has done a tremendous job as interim. I think he’s provided some strong leadership during some difficult times. I think that he will make the right decision. I have 100% confidence that he’s going to lead us to the right decision.”
PM: What have you learned over the last 14 months going through some of the difficulties with Mack that will help you now that he is gone and you’re in charge?
WB: “I think the one thing that I’ve learned, first and foremost, is we have to have open honest communication. I certainly think that maybe we could have avoided some of the issues that we faced as a campus if we had that kind of communication. I think everybody recognizes that. We have much to be proud of. That’s the thing that I want our fans, our alums, the people of the state of Missouri to focus on is we’ve been through a lot the last 14 months but we have a lot to be proud of. This is a great institution, there are great people here, we have tremendous coaches and student-athletes. I’m so excited for Barry Odom and his tenure…There’s a lot to be proud of and a lot to be excited about. That doesn’t mean that everybody agrees with every decision and everything that happens. At the end of the day this University is and should be a source of pride for the people of Missouri.”
PM: When you say better communication, do you mean with your athletes, your coaches, the media, the fans? Specifically what do you mean?
WB: “I would even zoom out and say as a campus, as a society. We have to get to a point where when there’s a disagreement, when we’re not on the same page we’re able to freely share opinions and views and help understand the differences that we have. I think we’ve got to continue to focus on that as a country. Certainly here in Missouri, certainly here on campus and certainly in the athletic department. You can’t let an open wound fester. You’ve got to treat it. We’ve got to be able to have an honest dialogue about all issues. I’m just pointing to any one issue, just all issues, so that we can be better.”
PM: You mentioned Barry Odom. Have you talked to him since it became known you’d be the interim AD?
WB: “I have. Barry’s been very supportive and very good. He and I talked pretty routinely anyway. We also, even before our time working here, we have a personal relationship. I’ve asked him for advice on diff things and he’s done the same.”
PM: The last thing, a lot of Missouri fans the last few months wake up feeling like they know they’re going to get hit, they just don’t know where it’s coming from. Do you believe you’re past the low point? What would your message to those fans be about the direction you’re headed?
WB: “I believe if you talk to our coaches, our staff and our student athletes, a lot has been done that last 14 months to make things better. We are in the process of developing strategic initiatives, assessing facilities, talking about our new Mizzou Made curriculum, which I think is going to be the best in the country…There’s been a lot of good happening. Unfortunately it’s gotten overshadowed by other things, some of which happen at institutions all over the country. But once you kind of get that spotlight on you, every imperfection is thrust on a national stage. I wish I could say that there won’t be any more speed bumps in the road. I wish I could offer that promise. I probably could make a whole lot of money if I could. What I would tell the people who follow the University and follow the athletic program is that there is much to be proud of. Don’t let the imperfections cloud the things that are going great. Don’t let that we’ve lost a key leadership position, don’t let that overcloud what J’Den Cox is doing, what some of our student-athletes and coaches and teams are doing. There’s a lot to be proud of.”
