Dave Aranda is no longer the head coach at Baylor. The school fired him on Sunday after the loss to Kansas. Aranda’s presentation on Thursday thanked fans and staff. He finished with a 40-40 record over seven seasons. The team is now targeting defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman as the interim coach.
Baylor plays UCF on Friday night. The Bears won four of their first seven games. UCF is also 4-3 and coming off a big win over BYU. The forced change happened fast, but the team must play hard. Aranda said he has no regrets about his time in Waco.
Advertisement
Enjoy the world after seven years
That event came soon after losing to Kansas. New athletic director Doug McNamee made the call to let Aranda go. Aranda completed a seven-year building program in Waco. His record sits at 40 wins and 40 losses.
Aranda does not apologize for what he said. He took full care of the results in the field. He wrote to the team not to wait. He noted that the game changed a lot during his time there. Some changes were ready, while others were necessary for growth. There was no shortage of hard work that everyone knew he trusted.
The proposal shows a deep concern for the state. Aranda thanks the players for their support. He also thanked his coaches for their sacrifices. He said it changed lives and helped young people grow. The blessing ended with a simple blessing.
Advertisement
His last words were clear and direct. He wrote, God bless. Dave Aranda. Sorry there were no issues. He said he only felt grateful for the chance to lead. This approach fits the coach who lives up to the hype. Some players don’t just take a man.
The challenge of Joe Klanderman
Joe Klanderman steps in as interim head coach. He was the defensive coordinator earlier this week. He has been with Aranda for a long time. He started at North Dakota State and then went to Kansas State. Now he is turning his head to the coaching job.
The schedule is tight for Friday night’s game. UCF coach Scott Frost expects the Bears to be ready. He knows that the short week of frost makes it hard. He said, “It is a tough deal in a short week, probably to make that change, but we expect to get the motivation of the Baylor team.” Pruina believes the team does not check.
Advertisement
Klanderman knows there is more to the job than the stories. He told his team that energy is the most important thing right now. He said, “I don’t know if it’s X’s and O’s that are in the material, as much as you want.” He does not think of pretending to play tricks.
It wants to be a simple game based on rules and principles. The team works with a change of pace quickly. Klanderman sees the final five games as a chance to prove himself. The investigation of the permanent coach has already been completed. McNamee wants a new leader at the end of the season.
UCF eyes a tough defensive battle
UCF is a dangerous opponent for the Bears. The Knights only beat No. 2 BYU in double overtime. The fans who were willing to take over the field. UCF hopes to avoid disaster against Baylor. Klanderman sees the Knights as a trending team.
Advertisement
Klanderman noted that UCF is getting healthy players. He said: “They are leaning this year, and they have healthy guys.” Frost also guards the Baylor defense. He knows that they are strong in the sacks and machines for the loss. Pruina pointed out, according to Yahoo Sports, “They are tops in the country in defense and in sacks and for loss.”
UCF has only allowed 11 sacks all season. Frontinus sees money spent on Bayl’s defense. He said: “You can never tell a lot of money and resources in their defense, especially in the defensive line.” Bigs lead the Bears with 12 with 27 sacks. In five of his seven games, he produced no fewer than four sacks.
Offense will be key for UCF. QB DJ Lagway is back in his home state. He threw for 1,352 yards and nine touchdowns. Frontinus calls him an elite athlete with a large arm. Lagway can run and throw high. The knights must lead him on the way.
Baylor fans will look to support the defense. Meanwhile, the coach must focus on the horse. The players’ stakes are high. They want to finish strong under new leaders. Friday night’s game will show if they can handle the pressure.
Advertisement
The school must first find a new head coach. People in which coach they need. Some fans want the offensive mind to run to the team. Others say he wins championships and misses a defensive coach. An athletic director has clear compensation goals.
McNamee wants to have someone in custody at the end of the regular season. This gives the new coach time to prepare for bowl season. Aranda’s departure leaves a big hole in the program. The spirit of the defense by UNC was respectable. They couldn’t save the Magic Bears from 2021.
In the meantime, time will prove Klanderman’s leadership. He has to keep these players moving through the change. The team has a 4-3 record and a chance to finish well. UCF is tough to try out a new coach.