Meet the Coaches

Dr. Jeff Nagel 

Dr. Nagel is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication and the Director of the Glenn R. Capp Debate Forum. Jeff holds a Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University, which he attended after completing a Master's degree in communication from Baylor ('17). Dr. Nagel debated for Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan as an undergraduate, where he qualified for the National Debate Tournament. Prior to joining Wayne State, Jeff was a national champion and top speaker in the National Educational Debate Association while competing for the University of Dayton. He has been coaching at Baylor since 2022.

Kristiana Baez, M.A.

Kristiana Baez is a Lecturer in the Department of Communication and the Assistant Director of the Glenn R. Capp Debate Forum. Kristiana holds a Master's degree in Communication from Baylor University ('17) and is currently completing her doctorate at the University of Iowa remotely while living, working, and coaching fulltime in Waco. Kristiana debated for the University of Oklahoma and has previously coached for UTSA, Baylor, Iowa, and most recently James Madison University.

Graduate Assistant Coaches

Brandon Reynolds

Brandon is a second-year M.A. student and assistant debate coach at Baylor. Brandon had a successful career at Wayne State University, where he qualified to the National Debate Tournament

Nigel Taylor-Ward

Nigel is an incoming Master's candidate, having previously debated for Western Kentucky University. Most recently, Nigel coached multiple elimination round teams as part of the Georgetown University coaching staff at the 2023 National Debate Tournament.