Doug McNamee, Baylor's new athletic director, has not set a specific win total for head coach Dave Aranda to meet in order to keep his job beyond the 2026 season. Instead, McNamee highlighted the significance of revitalizing the program and garnering wider support from fans.
In comments reported by CBS Sports college football writer Shehan Jeyarajah, McNamee expressed, "Everybody wants to say, well, what’s the magic number? I genuinely am not playing coy when I would say it’s not about the numbers. It’s the momentum; it’s the feel, and it’s the vibe around the program."
As Aranda heads into his seventh season, McNamee's remarks clarify the expectations for the coach. He emphasized the necessity for Aranda and the football team to cultivate a competitive spirit within the Big 12 and adapt to the changing landscape of name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities. McNamee urged fans to become more engaged with the program by attending games and supporting NIL initiatives financially.
Aranda's record at Baylor is currently 36-37, following a successful 2021 season that included a Big 12 championship. However, the team has faced challenges recently, holding a 22-28 record and experiencing three losing seasons in the last four years, including a 5-7 finish in 2025.
McNamee, who took over the athletic department in December, will use the 2026 season to evaluate Aranda's performance and the program's direction, stating that progress and belief are essential for continued support.
