Baylor fires Dave Aranda: Lincoln Riley and Spencer Danielson among candidates to replace coach

Baylor has fired coach Dave Aranda after seven seasons, the program announced Sunday. Aranda finished his tenure with a 40-40 record and 26-32 mark in the Big 12, struggling to put the Bears back in contention in the NIL era. Defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman will serve as interim coach.

Aranda, a national championship-winning defensive coordinator at LSU, came to Waco with fanfare and quickly led the Bears to the best season in program history. Baylor won the 2021 Big 12 title and a Sugar Bowl victory to record the first AP Top 5 ranking in program history.

However, Aranda failed to capitalize on this success, finishing with a losing record the following season and falling to 3-9 two years later. Over six full seasons with the program, Baylor finished with four losing records and never recorded consecutive winning seasons.

“Anyone who knows Dave Aranda understands what a genuine and honorable person he is and how deeply he cares about his players, his staff and this university,” Baylor athletic director Doug McNamee said in a statement. “He is a gifted coach and brilliant football mind whose leadership has brought some of our best football memories to Baylor. Although this is a difficult time, we believe a change in direction is necessary at this time for our program. We will always be grateful to Dave and his family for their time here at Baylor, and we wish them well.”

In addition to a slow rollout of the player compensation era that took a toll on Baylor recruits, Aranda struggled to identify and retain personnel. During his tenure, he had six coordinators and took over the defensive play himself at one point.

After showing promise with freshman quarterback DJ Lagway, Baylor lost a stunning 17-6 decision to rival TCU at home on October 17. A week later, the Bears lost a 14-game winning streak to Kansas following a blocked field goal near the end of regulation in a 25–24 loss.

Now, first-year athletic director McNamee will have to make his first big hiring decision. After leaving the private sector, he could go in many directions.

Baylor coaching candidates

Jeff Traylor, UTSA: A legendary high school football coach in East Texas, Traylor helped transform UTSA into a consistent winning program. The Roadrunners dominated CUSA under Traylor and continued to compete after a jump in competition to The American.

Traylor would quickly be able to build relationships with high school coaches and fans in the state of Texas. The Roadrunners are also in the midst of their most successful season since joining The American, a 6-1 campaign. But after a few years of calm, will Traylor be flashy enough?

Spencer Danielson, Boise State: Danielson is one of the most exciting young coaches in college football. Since taking over as interim coach in 2023, Danielson has won a conference title every year and is on track to reach a second CFP appearance and first Pac-12 title this year.

At the same time, Danielson has a great situation at Boise State and has spent his entire career on the West Coast. He might also soon be ready to take on other interesting jobs thanks to his continued success. But Danielson is also a vocal and outspoken leader about his faith, which could make Baylor an attractive long-term candidate.

GJ Kinne, Texas State coach: Kinne has deep ties to Texas throughout his playing and coaching career. He actually played for Traylor at Gilmer High School before playing quarterback at Texas and Tulsa. His father was also a linebacker at Baylor.

Kinne has done a great job at Texas State, transforming an equally competitive program. However, in a potentially breakthrough season, Texas State limped to a mediocre 4-3 record. With Boise State and Oregon State in the next two weeks, it might be difficult for Kinne to win enough to merit consideration.

Jason Eck, New Mexico coach: Eck is one of the best coaches in college football. The former Wisconsin offensive lineman worked his way through the sub-FBS level as an offensive line coach before posting back-to-back top-10 finishes at Idaho and an absurd 15-5 record at New Mexico.

Eck would immediately bring excitement back to Waco with his fun personality and well-coached teams. At the same time, Eck’s entire life and career was spent in the Midwest and West. He might have different preferences depending on what opens this cycle.

Lincoln Riley, USC: There were rumors that Riley was conversing with Baylor behind the scenes last offseason as a potential escape hatch from USC. After a brutal loss to Wisconsin on Saturday, the rumors will certainly start again.

Riley has strong ties to Texas after growing up in West Texas and regularly recruiting in-state at Oklahoma. He knows the Big 12 well and seems to embrace the landscape more than the SEC or Big Ten. The big question? Can Baylor buy some time financially, both from a salary and roster spending standpoint.