HC Dave Aranda’s tenure at Baylor has been a study in contrasts, from a Big 12 title to a sub-.500 record. While being under pressure, he just got a significant break. Baylor’s 2026 schedule has been forcibly altered, removing a formidable opponent at a time when its program can least afford a tough loss.

Just three months ago, the Baylor Bears smoked the SMU Mustangs in a 48-45 contest. But Waco can no longer see that contest next season. HC Dave Aranda’s program is dropping the matchup until later seasons. Next season, the ACC is moving towards a nine-game schedule. With the expanded game slate, the Bears have temporarily dropped their Big 12 rival.

Although the matchup has not been canceled, it has been postponed. Instead of SMU, Baylor will play against Louisiana Tech on Sept. 19 at McLane Stadium. It will be a two-game series. The second face-off will happen at the Independence Stadium in Shreveport in 2030 or later. The matchup series with Louisiana Tech dates back to 1981, a series that Baylor leads 5-1. Does that provide a respite for head coach Dave Aranda?

Likely yes. Although Baylor edged out the SMU Mustangs in a close contest in September, the Mustangs have concluded their season with an impressive 8-4 record. Not to forget their 2024 ACC title. Given that Waco is presently under a challenging stretch, Baylor won’t mind the postponed matchup.

Just four years ago, the 49-year-old Dave Aranda had led the Bears to a 12-2 record, earning a No. 5 rank in the AP Polls. It seemed like a new dawn after the pandemic’s aftermath. But he failed to carry forward the momentum to his future campaigns. Over the last four campaigns, Baylor compiled a 22-28 record. After an 8-4 record in 2024, Baylor was expected to win big this time. Eighteen starters had returned to the locker room, and the Bears were slated to win the Big 12 title this December. But a 5-7 record drowned all those hopes, with even bowl eligibility slipping past their grasp.

Aranda’s future had already seemed uncertain after the Bears recorded a 5-5 record after a loss to the Utah Utes. However, the administration sought to retain him. The decision was not necessarily made in Aranda’s favor, but rather to maintain the program’s stability. On November 20, Baylor’s Athletic Director, Mack Rhoades, suddenly resigned a week after taking a leave for personal reasons, leaving the program with a significant void in its administration. Retaining Aranda was born out of that necessity, to keep the program from collapsing.

“After careful evaluation and consideration, we have decided to retain Coach Dave Aranda as the leader of our football program,” President Linda Livingstone wrote in a letter to the school’s supporters. “We recognize this decision will generate strong opinions. Let me be clear: Baylor expects excellence, accountability, and competitiveness at the highest level. We are not complacent, and we are not settling for mediocrity.”

Presently, Aranda finds himself under a harsh spotlight, but his former colleague is absolutely rooting for him.

Ed Orgeron cheers on Dave Aranda

Dave Aranda’s tenure has been nothing less than a roller-coaster ride, with its highs and lows. The 2025 season is definitely not something Baylor views as a successful one. However, former colleague and national championship-winning coach Ed Orgeron believes that, although Aranda has likely missed his targets, his success recipe lacks the perfect ingredients.

“He was a great coach for me, and he gave a lot to LSU. I do believe, just like me now (no difference), he’s a better defensive mind than I am and a lot more cerebral than I am,” Orgeron says on the Bussin’ With the Boys podcast. “I don’t think he’s hit that mark yet on an overall basis. He might have had it in spots here and there, but I think in order for Dave to be a great head coach, he has to be surrounded by great assistants and great players.”

Both individuals worked together in Baton Rouge. At that time, Aranda held the post of defensive coordinator, while Orgeron was the head coach. Moving forward, the Bears’ head coach is already making changes to his coaching staff, starting with the hiring of Joe Klanderman as the new defensive coordinator.

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