On3’s Pete Nakos outlined several names to watch in UCLA’s head coaching search this week, and two active Big 12 coaches made the list.
Baylor’s Dave Aranda and Arizona’s Brent Brennan were identified as potential candidates, each with ties to the West Coast that make them logical fits should the Bruins look in that direction.
Aranda, who is entering his fifth season at Baylor, grew up in Redlands, California, and has longstanding ties to the region. His defensive background and reputation as a strong developer of talent make him an intriguing possibility. However, according to Nakos, Aranda’s buyout sits in the range of $12 million, which would make him a costly option for UCLA at a time when the program has freshly joined the Big Ten. The price tag alone could complicate any pursuit.
Brennan’s candidacy is more straightforward. He played wide receiver at UCLA in the mid-1990s and later built a reputation as a head coach at San Jose State before taking over at Arizona in 2024. His recruiting ties extend through Los Angeles, Hawaii, and Washington, and he is widely viewed as someone who understands the California landscape. Nakos reported his buyout to be about $7.5 million, which is still significant but more manageable compared to Aranda’s. The alum connection also provides a natural storyline should UCLA want to bring one of its own back to Westwood.
For the Big 12, both names being floated in this search carry weight. Aranda has already delivered a conference championship in Waco and is viewed as one of the more respected defensive minds in the country. Brennan, meanwhile, is in his second year of establishing Arizona inside a new league, and losing him so soon after the move would be a setback. Neither program benefits from having its coach tied to another job, particularly one with the national profile of UCLA.
Whether UCLA moves on either candidate remains to be seen, but the early reports highlight the direction of the search. The Bruins appear to be targeting leaders with regional connections and proven experience in program building. That puts both Aranda and Brennan squarely in the conversation. Until the process develops further, though, it remains speculation, with buyout figures and financial realities looming large in the decision.
