Rhule establishes 'code of conduct for every person' at Baylor

New Baylor head coach Matt Rhule addressed the media Thursday and expressed both disappointment and a commitment to uphold conduct standards after the recent dismissals of two Bears staff members.

"I can't really comment on the specifics because they were personnel matters," Rhule said, according to Max Olson of ESPN. "But what I will say is, I feel like we've established clear expectations and a code of conduct for every person -- for myself, for coaches, for the staff, for the players. I think hopefully everyone knows in our program that if you fail to meet those expectations, you're going to be held accountable."

Former assistant director of football operations DeMarkco Butler was let go after one month on the job for allegedly sending inappropriate texts to an 18-year-old. Assistant strength coach Brandon Washington was also fired after being charged with solicitation. Rhule hired both men.

"Personally, I'm disappointed that all these wonderful coaches and staff who are doing things the right way, that this has kind of overshadowed what they're doing, that it reflected poorly on the men that work for us," Rhule said. "But at the end of the day, we all know there's a standard we're setting and if you don't meet that standard, action will be taken."

Rhule added that defensive back Travon Blanchard is still suspended after he was accused of multiple acts of violence against a woman he had a relationship with. The woman filed a restraining order against Blanchard.

"He's not participating in winter or spring until the conclusion of the ongoing investigation that's happening for him," Rhule said. "Until that's resolved, he'll remain suspended."

Rhule was hired in December and faces the tough task of improving the image of a program that's been marred by a sexual assault scandal. Former coach Art Briles was fired after an investigation into the way his program handled the allegations of sexual assaults.