Column: Baylor poised to be breakout team from Texas in 2025

Dave Aranda was on borrowed time. He convinced the Baylor brass to give him one more season following a 3-9 finish in 2023 with promises of change. He’d hire an exciting offensive coordinator, return to calling plays on defense, and begin utilizing the Baylor war chest to lure top talent from the transfer portal and on the recruiting trail. 

The not-so-secret truth in Waco is that Baylor, especially the administration, wants Aranda to be successful. He’s a mild-mannered man of faith who possesses every core value a small, private institution wants in a coach. If football is the front porch of a university, Baylor wants Aranda to answer the door. To be the face. No different than Scott Drew in basketball.