Baylor coach Dave Aranda was fired by the program on Sunday after a 25-24 loss to Kansas the day before. Defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman has taken over as interim coach for the rest of the 2026 season.
Aranda coached Baylor for six seasons and held a 40-40 record. His tenure’s highlight season was a historic 12-2 finish with a Big 12 championship and a Sugar Bowl win in 2021. Aranda is set to receive $10 to $12 million as a buyout fee because he was under contract through 2029.
With the Baylor coaching job open, one former Heisman winner from the program has made his interest clear. Robert Griffin III said that he is 100% interested in the coaching opportunity. Fans did not think he was a serious candidate, probably because Griffin has never coached any team before.
“I want this just to see how bad it would be,” one fan said.
“Absolutely shameless,” another fan said.
Robert Griffin III sends a message to Baylor
Robert Griffin III expressed his desire to help out his alma mater on Monday on “The Dan Patrick Show.” He played for Baylor from 2008 to 2011 and won the Heisman Trophy in 2011. Now, he wants to return as a head coach after Aranda was let go.
Patrick asked if Griffin was interested in coaching Baylor.
He answered, “Yes, a 100%. If Baylor wants to get back to winning and have a university that isn’t just respectable on the football field, but one the fans can be proud of, they need people who know what it looks like to win at Baylor.”
“I have talked with the athletic director, Doug McNamee, that knows what it looks like to win at Baylor and know how you have to win at Baylor and recruit to Baylor to make those things happen. So, outside of myself, I would also advocate for Spencer Danielson, the head coach at Boise State. I think he is a top-notch guy, top-notch coach, and knows how to win. I also think Jeff Traylor at UTSA is a great option. A dark horse would be Lincoln Riley from USC,” he said.
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