Baylor's head coach, Dave Aranda, is set to begin the 2026 season amid considerable scrutiny, as he cannot afford another losing record. His return was somewhat surprising after the resignation of the athletic director late last season, which raised uncertainties about his position within the program.
As Aranda embarks on his seventh season, he will be working with a new quarterback, DJ Lagway, who transferred from Florida, along with several new receivers and a new defensive coordinator, Joe Klanderman, previously of Kansas State.
Aranda's overall coaching record is 36 wins and 37 losses, including a disappointing finish of 5 wins and 7 losses last year, during which the team lost five of its last six games, ending with a three-game losing streak.
Since their successful 2021 season, which included a school-record 12 wins and a Big 12 championship, the Bears have struggled with a record of 22 wins and 28 losses, with their only winning season being 8-5 in 2024.
Last year, the team allowed an average of 32.6 points per game while scoring 31.1, and they recorded a troubling 24 turnovers, the most in the Power Four.
Despite the loss of leading rusher Bryson Washington to Auburn, Baylor's running back group remains strong, featuring Caden Knighten, who rushed for 469 yards last season, and Dawson Pendergrass, who missed last year due to injury but had 671 yards and six touchdowns in 2024. The Bears will need to address their lack of experience at receiver after losing their top five from last season.
