After Baylor’s first six video games this season, the college is sitting with a disappointing 2-4 report, and the Bears are on monitor to complete their schedule with a shedding report for the fourth time within the final 5 years.
Dave Aranda has been Baylor’s head coach throughout these 5 years, and it appears secure to imagine that he may very well be in the course of his remaining season with the group.
There have been requires Aranda to be fired following the 2023 marketing campaign when the Bears completed with a 3-9 report, however the college determined to provide him one other probability. That has turned out to be an enormous mistake.
Baylor’s solely two wins this season have come over Tarleton State, an FCS college, and a 1-5 Air Power group. Of their 4 different video games towards Utah, Colorado, BYU and Iowa State, the Bears have misplaced by a median of 11.5 factors.
In its fifth yr with Aranda main the best way, issues nonetheless have not been in a position to get again on monitor for Baylor, so a change must be made both quickly or after the conclusion of the 2024 season.
Sadly, firing Aranda goes to be low cost for the Bears. The Baylor head coach is presently below contract with the college till 2030, and to maneuver on from him earlier than his deal expires, 247Sports estimates that his buyout will price the Bears $16 million.
Then, Baylor has to consider who it wish to rent as Aranda’s substitute. His background is on the defensive aspect of the ball, so maybe the Bears’ subsequent head coach shall be somebody whose strengths focus on offense.
Some doable names that Baylor might select to interchange Aranda embody UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor, Texas State head coach G.J. Kinne and present Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
There’s additionally a slim probability that Aranda might nonetheless assist Baylor flip issues round. The Bears have a street matchup towards 5-1 Texas Tech on Saturday, however after that contest, none of their remaining 5 opponents presently have a profitable report.
Primarily based on the previous few seasons, nonetheless, the chances of Baylor rising from the ultimate six video games on its schedule with a profitable report are fairly low. ESPN’s Faculty Soccer Energy Index presently initiatives the Bears to complete the 2024 marketing campaign with a 5-7 report, and proper now, that feels like a best-case state of affairs.
However for a college that has received a number of Huge 12 titles since 2000, a 5-7 end can be unacceptable, and it might possible lead to Baylor displaying Aranda the door.
