Overview
- Baylor announced on Sunday that it had dismissed Dave Aranda after a 25-24 loss at Kansas and promoted defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman to interim head coach for the final five regular-season games.
- Klanderman is in his first season at Baylor after seven years at Kansas State and has no prior head-coaching experience, making his results over the remainder of 2026 a key factor in the program's next hire.
- Reports say Aranda’s 2022 extension leaves Baylor facing a roughly $12 million buyout, a major financial hit that will shape how the school times and staffs the upcoming coaching search.
- Media outlets have already floated a mix of Texas-region and national candidates, and former Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III publicly said he is “100%” interested in the job.
- Aranda leaves with a 40-40 record and a 2021 high point that included a Big 12 title and Sugar Bowl win, and the firing opens questions about recruiting, donor expectations and Baylor’s path back to consistent Big 12 contention.