Baylor replaces Dave Aranda, begins search for new football coach

Baylor University has officially dismissed head football coach Dave Aranda, ending his tenure with the Bears. The decision was finalized on Sunday, Oct. 25, making Baylor the third Power 4 program to make a coaching change in the 2026 college football season.

Aranda arrived in Waco before the 2020 season after a highly regarded career as a defensive coordinator at the University of Wisconsin and LSU. His first full season in 2021 was a standout performance, as he led the team to a 12-2 record. That campaign included a victory in the Sugar Bowl and a finish in the top five of the AP Poll.

Following that initial success, the Bears struggled to maintain their level of play. For the remainder of Aranda's time as head coach, the team posted a losing record in both overall play and Big 12 Conference games. The program was below .500 during that stretch, a decline that led to the decision to part ways.

The search for a permanent replacement is now underway. Bears Illustrated, the 247Sports affiliate dedicated to covering the program, has begun circulating names for the hot board. Tim Watkins, who leads the staff at Bears Illustrated, has identified several potential candidates based on his analysis of the coaching market.

One name Watkins has specifically flagged is Jeff Traylor, the head coach at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Traylor has served as UTSA's head coach since 2020, accumulating an overall record of 58-27. His conference record stands at 37-12, a mark that spans his time in Conference USA and the American Athletic Conference.

Traylor's stock has risen recently due to the current performance of the Roadrunners. The team has started the 2026 season with a 5-1 record, a turnaround from the previous two years. This success has rekindled interest in him as a viable candidate for a Power 4 position.

Watkins noted that Traylor possesses the 'Texas Ties' that are often valued in the region. He credited Traylor with winning across different personnel groups. Watkins said Traylor leaned on Frank Harris for an early period of success before building a different conference title caliber team in a later era. He also pointed out that Traylor has hired offensive and defensive coordinators who performed well enough to be recruited by other programs.

The Bears have already seen results with their interim leadership. Jon Klanderman, the interim head coach, led the team to a 41-9 victory over the University of Central Florida in Week 9. This win served as the start of his tenure in the head coach role.

Bears Illustrated has also mentioned a sitting head coach with multiple College Football Playoff appearances as a possibility for the position. The publication is offering a 50% discount on annual VIP memberships to new members, a promotion available until 247Sports.com decides to alter or cancel the offer. The full list of candidates and insider analysis is available through their subscription service.