Doug McNamee, Baylor's new athletic director, has not set a specific win total for head coach Dave Aranda to meet to keep his job beyond the 2026 season. Instead, McNamee stressed the significance of building momentum and enhancing support for the football program.
In comments relayed by CBS Sports college football writer Shehan Jeyarajah, McNamee remarked that the focus should be on the overall atmosphere surrounding the program rather than just numerical outcomes. He stated, "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 enters his seventh season, McNamee highlighted the necessity for the football program to cultivate a competitive spirit within the Big 12 and adapt to changes in name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities. He called for stronger involvement from supporters, urging them to participate in the program through game attendance and financial contributions to NIL initiatives and scholarships.
Aranda's record at Baylor is currently 36-37, including a successful 2021 season with a Big 12 championship. However, the team has faced challenges recently, with a 22-28 record over the last four years and a disappointing 5-7 finish in 2025. McNamee, who took over the athletic department in December, will evaluate Aranda's performance in 2026.
As the upcoming season approaches, he emphasized that the program must show progress to secure ongoing support, stating, "I need a story to write to make that a compelling story. The program needs to provide that."
