Baylor University fired head football coach Dave Aranda on Sunday, October 25, 2026, ending his tenure after the Bears started the season poorly. Aranda, a former defensive coordinator at Wisconsin and LSU, led Baylor to a 12-2 record and a Sugar Bowl victory in 2021 but failed to sustain success, posting sub-.500 records in subsequent seasons.
Interim head coach Jon Klanderman debuted with a 41-9 win over UCF in Week 9. The coaching search is underway, with Baylor-focused outlet Bears Illustrated reporting several candidates.
One prominent name is UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor, who holds a 58-27 overall record since 2020, including a 37-12 conference mark across Conference USA and the American Athletic Conference. Traylor's Roadrunners are off to a 5-1 start in 2026. Bears Illustrated notes his "Texas ties" and ability to win with multiple quarterbacks and coordinators.
Other candidates include a sitting head coach with multiple College Football Playoff appearances, though that name has not been publicly disclosed. The search continues as Baylor aims to return to Big 12 contention.
