The writing feels pretty clear at this point: Baylor has a Dave Aranda problem. That’s not a knee-jerk take from the message boards; it’s a fair assessment from someone like Shehan Jeyarajah, who covers college sports as well as anyone. In a recent column for CBS Sports, Jeyarajah laid it out plainly: Aranda might be smart, but his decisions come too late, and Baylor can’t afford to keep waiting around for him to figure it out.
The Bears are sitting in a weird spot. This isn’t a program without talent. They’ve got Sawyer Robertson playing decent football, Michael Trigg making some NFL noise at tight end, and enough veteran leadership to at least be competitive in the Big 12. But you wouldn’t know it from the results. The product on the field doesn’t match the roster on paper, and that’s been the story far too often since their Big 12 title run in 2021. That season feels more like a lightning-in-a-bottle moment than the start of anything sustainable.
The real issue isn’t just the losses. It’s the way they’re happening. Bad tackling, poor defensive angles, late in-game adjustments, and a general lack of urgency have all piled up. Aranda’s background is defense, but Baylor’s defense looks anything but buttoned-up. When that’s your calling card and it’s falling apart, it’s hard to keep convincing people you’re the right guy for the job.
Attendance is dipping, the buzz around the program has flatlined, and patience is running thin. This isn’t a league where you can afford to drift. The Big 12 is changing fast, and schools that don’t adapt get left behind. Baylor should be competing, not just hoping to stay afloat. And if Aranda can’t turn it around quickly, then it’s probably time for someone else to try.
There’s still time for Baylor to control the narrative, but they need to make a move before the hole gets deeper. The transfer portal opens soon. Recruits are watching. Other Big 12 schools are upgrading. If Baylor stands still, they’re already falling behind. Aranda’s a sharp guy and a respected coach, but this isn’t a fit that’s working anymore.
At some point, the results speak louder than the intentions. Baylor just has to decide whether they’re ready to listen.
