| Year: | 2016 |
| Team: | Baylor Bears |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Big 12 Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big 12 |
| Record: | 7–6 |
| Conf Record: | 3–6 |
| Head Coach: | Jim Grobe (1st season) |
| Oc Year: | 2nd |
| Dc Year: | 6th |
| Champion: | Cactus Bowl champion |
| Bowl Result: | W 31–12 vs. Boise State |
The 2016 Baylor Bears football team represented Baylor University in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bears were coached by first-year head coach Jim Grobe[1] in their 118th football season. This was the team's third season in McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. The Bears were members of the Big 12 Conference. They finished the season 7–6, 3–6 in Big 12 play to finish in a three-way tie for sixth place. They were invited to Cactus Bowl where they defeated Boise State.
National Signing Day was on February 3, 2016.
See main article: Baylor University football scandal. In September 2015, following the conviction of former players Sam Ukwuachu[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] and Tevin Elliott of sexual assault, along with allegations against other players, the school commissioned law firm Pepper Hamilton LLP to conduct an independent external investigation regarding the university's handling of sexual violence. In April 2016, former player Shawn Oakman was arrested on sexual assault charges as well.[7] Head coach Art Briles was terminated on May 26, 2016 following the presentation of Pepper Hamilton's report. University President Ken Starr and Athletic Director Ian McCaw also resigned.[8] Former Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe was hired on an interim basis.[9] [10]
Following the threat of a lawsuit by Briles for wrongful termination, Baylor provided an out of court settlement. Briles and Baylor are co-defendants in a lawsuit filed by a woman allegedly sexually assaulted by a football player.[11] After Briles' departure, many players announced their intention to transfer including Jarrett Stidham. Seven members of the 2016 recruiting class requested to be released from their National Letter of Intent, and six of the then-seven commits in the 2017 recruiting class decommitted.[12]
Schedule Source:[13]
See also: 2016 Northwestern State Demons football team.
See also: 2016 SMU Mustangs football team.
See also: 2016 Rice Owls football team.
See also: 2016 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team.
See also: 2016 Iowa State Cyclones football team.
See also: 2016 Kansas Jayhawks football team.
See also: 2016 Texas Longhorns football team.
See also: 2016 TCU Horned Frogs football team and Baylor–TCU football rivalry.
See also: 2016 Oklahoma Sooners football team.
See also: 2016 Kansas State Wildcats football team.
See also: 2016 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team and Baylor–Texas Tech football rivalry.
See also: 2016 West Virginia Mountaineers football team.
See also: 2016 Boise State Broncos football team and 2016 Cactus Bowl (December).