Wren Baker addresses Oklahoma rumor, reaffirms commitment to WVU
Speculation about Wren Baker’s future surfaced again recently, with the West Virginia athletic director once more linked to the opening at Oklahoma. But if you ask him, there’s no substance behind it, just more dots being connected from the outside.
Speaking on the John Fredericks Radio Show, Baker made it clear where things stand.
“There’s no truth to any of the speculation or rumors at this point,” he said. “This is like the fourth or fifth time since I’ve been here that people had me out the door. And not one time have I taken an interview or even had a conversation with anybody about another job.”
The Oklahoma talk picked up for obvious reasons. Baker’s roots are in the state, and the job is one of the most high-profile openings in college athletics. But he says he and his family are happy in Morgantown, and he’s not just saying that.
“We love living here,” Baker said. “It’s a great place to live. I love the outdoors…more importantly, I have a wife and two daughters, and they’re very happy here.”
He acknowledged the nature of the job means his name might pop up, but he’s stayed consistent.
“I usually don’t address any specific institutions. I don’t feel like it should be my responsibility to put out fires that other people are starting,” he said. “I love being here. I feel like it’s a privilege to be in this program, to represent this university, and more importantly, represent our state.”
Earlier this week, Baker was asked again, this time by Charleston Gazette-Mail reporter Taylor Kennedy, how he handles his name coming up for jobs outside of WVU.
“First of all, any time your name is thrown out there, there will be speculation,” he said. “It is a credit to the people here, the student-athletes, coaches and staff, that are doing the majority of the work. I’m a member of a team of several hundred and no one is more significant than the other. People recognize that there are a lot of good things happening at WVU.”
“My wife and two girls, more importantly, love it here and love being here. We’re very, very happy here. In the time I’ve been here, I’ve not ever entertained anything else,” he added.
Baker also made it clear he doesn’t plan to comment every time a rumor pops up.
“You also don’t want to get into the habit of every time there’s speculation, then it’s your responsibility to pour water on it,” he said. “Generally, I don’t address it. I’ve stayed consistent about what I can honestly tell people, and that is that we’re extraordinarily happy here.”
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