Baylor Bears head football coach Dave Aranda’s job security has improved after the team won three consecutive games in Big 12 conference play, including victories over TCU, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech. This recent success has eased the pressure on Aranda, and there is now a general belief that he will remain the head coach through the 2025 season.
Baylor has also seen positive development from quarterback Sawyer Robertson, which has contributed to the team’s recent wins. Aranda is still well-regarded by the administration, and his large contract buyout through 2029 makes it less likely that the school will part ways with him in the immediate future.
The financial factors surrounding college football coaching changes have become more complex due to new NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rules. Like University of Florida head coach Billy Napier, Aranda is benefiting from a large buyout that could prevent Baylor from firing him. As schools prepare for new NIL regulations that will allow them to pay players significant amounts of money, universities are more reluctant to pay hefty buyouts for coaches.
Both Aranda’s and Napier’s buyouts are in the range of $20 to $26 million, and the looming financial changes make it more practical for their schools to retain them rather than incur further expenses.
Baylor’s football program, once a top contender under Art Briles and later Matt Rhule, has struggled to regain its former success. After a difficult 2020 season, Aranda led the team to a New Year’s Six bowl win in 2021, but the Bears have since faced challenges in reaching that level again. Despite these setbacks, Aranda has been unable to push Baylor beyond mediocrity, leading to ongoing concerns about the program’s future under his leadership.
Baylor’s administration is still hopeful that changes in NIL regulations could provide the financial resources needed to make the football program more competitive. With the new rules, which allow schools to offer more money to players, Baylor could finally have the tools necessary to recruit and retain top talent. This change is seen as a potential equalizer, allowing schools like Baylor to compete more effectively with wealthier programs and ultimately improve the team’s performance.
Looking ahead, Aranda’s future at Baylor will largely depend on whether he can continue the team’s recent success and build a stronger program in the Big 12. While his position has become more stable for now, the pressure to meet expectations will remain. With his contract extending through 2029, Aranda’s time at Baylor will depend on his ability to adapt to the evolving world of college football and effectively use the resources available to him to make the Bears a competitive force once again.
