Baylor athletic director Doug McNamee has refrained from specifying a win total that head coach Dave Aranda must achieve to retain his position beyond the 2026 season. Instead, McNamee indicated that his evaluation will focus on the program's overall momentum and the support it garners.
In comments shared by CBS Sports college football writer Shehan Jeyarajah, McNamee stated, "It’s the momentum; it’s the feel, and it’s the vibe around the program." This marks one of the clearest public outlines of expectations for Aranda as he enters his seventh season with the Bears.
While McNamee did not issue an ultimatum, he emphasized the need for Aranda and the football program to create a competitive environment within the Big 12 and adapt to the evolving NIL landscape.
McNamee highlighted the necessity for increased commitment and investment from the Baylor community, ranging from viewership to financial support for NIL initiatives and scholarships. He noted that the program needs to demonstrate direction and restore confidence to justify continued investment.
Aranda's record at Baylor stands at 36-37, with the team experiencing a decline since their successful 2021 season, which included a 12-2 record, a Big 12 championship, and a Sugar Bowl victory. In the past four years, the Bears have recorded three losing seasons, finishing 5-7 in 2025 and failing to qualify for a bowl game after losing their last three matches.
McNamee took over the athletic department in December, following a transitional period under former AD Mack Rhoades. University President Linda Livingstone had previously stated that the new athletic director should assess the program's long-term direction, making 2026 McNamee's first full season to evaluate Aranda.
