On Saturday, Baylor revealed the program was set to retain head coach Dave Aranda for 2026.
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There had been speculation that the Bears could look to move on from Aranda following a disappointing fall. BU is 5-6 this season, and Aranda has a 36–36 record during his six seasons in Waco.
However, things in the program changed following the decision of athletic director Mack Rhoades to step down from his position for personal reasons. Baylor is investigating unspecified allegations against Rhoades.
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Still, Aranda could be on the hot seat to begin 2026, as he has been unable to reach the heights that Art Briles and Matt Rhule were able to during their time with the school.
Briles had a good thing going with the Bears, but was fired in 2016 for reasons unrelated to the program’s success on the field.
Per Brett McMurphy of On3, Briles is returning to coach college football. Eastern New Mexico signed him to a three-year contract.
“Former Baylor coach Art Briles hired at Division II Eastern New Mexico, sources told @On3sports,” McMurphy posted on X. “Briles received a 3-year contract & has a buyout in excess of $1 million if he leaves the school, source said.”
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Following his departure from Baylor, Briles took a job in the Italian Football League to coach the Guelfi Firenze. He coached Mount Vernon High School for two seasons. He returned to the IFL to coach the Firenze in 2022 and won the championship.
Before coaching at Baylor, Briles went 34-28 during his five seasons at Houston. The Cougars won the Conference USA championship in 2006.
He went 65-37 during his eight seasons with the Bears. Baylor won back-to-back Big 12 championships in 2013 and 2014. Biles won the AP College Football Coach of the Year in 2013, when Baylor finished 11-2.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
