Dave Aranda will return as Baylor head coach in 2025, a spokesperson for the soccer program tells CBS Sports activities. The information comes on the heels of a 49-35 win at West Virginia on Saturday. The win gave Baylor a 6-4 mark with two contests left, adequate to clinch a bowl berth with room to spare.
Aranda was controversially retained after a 3-9 season in 2023, the worst file for this system since Matt Rhule’s first yr in 2017. A former defensive coordinator, Aranda posted three shedding seasons in 4 years, but additionally had the highest season in program historical past, a 12-2 Massive 12 championship run in 2021. After the title, he rebuffed exterior curiosity and signed a long-term extension with this system by 2029.
After the struggles, Aranda was aggressive. He employed offensive coordinator Jake Spavital and flipped out a number of different assistants. The Bears additionally grew to become much more aggressive on the NIL entrance, which has paid off in each switch and highschool recruiting. Baylor is projected to submit its high recruiting class since 2018. The choice to verify Aranda’s retention helps solidify this system as a goal for potential recruits and transfers in 2025.
The Bears started the season 2-4, with a type of losses a heartbreaking Hail Mary collapse towards Colorado. Aranda’s seat — and he entered the season below critical warmth — was scorching at that time, however Baylor has rallied to win 4 straight video games, scoring a median of 46 factors per recreation throughout its streak. And in hindsight, shut losses to Colorado and BYU look extra forgivable as these two venture to play for the Massive 12 Championship.
With the win, Aranda has returned to .500 at 29-29 and holds a 19-24 file in Massive 12 play. The Bears play Houston subsequent Saturday and shut with Kansas. A win over both would clinch Aranda’s second successful season. The Bears are additionally projected to return 15 starters in 2025, together with quarterback Sawyer Robertson, operating again Bryson Washington and linebacker Keaton Thomas.
Aranda joined Florida’s Billy Napier as maybe the 2 coaches on the most well liked seats within the Energy 4 coming into the 2024 season. Now, each are confirmed again in 2025. Whereas there are potential openings, the postseason carousel might be one of many quietest in recent times as packages plan for the fallout of the Home v. NCAA case’s monetary implications.
Seven FBS jobs are open in 2024, all within the Group of 5: Fresno State and Utah State got here open earlier than the season and are at the moment being occupied by interim coaches, plus East Carolina, Southern Miss, Rice, Ball State and Kennesaw State.
