Dave Aranda believes Baylor has already done some of its most important work for 2026.
At the Texas High School Coaches Association convention in Houston on Monday, the Baylor coach said the Bears have spent months building something deeper than a playbook. The focus, he explained, has been on leadership, relationships and a stronger sense of ownership inside the program.
"I feel really strong about the togetherness of this team," Aranda said. "We've really invested since January into building this team cohesively."
That process has included small-group conversations, player-led leadership development and a leadership council chosen by the team. For the first time in Aranda’s tenure, Baylor also named team captains, another sign, he said, that the players are taking more control of the program’s direction.
Even with transfer quarterback DJ Lagway expected to be a major piece of the offense, Aranda made clear he does not view Baylor’s season as a one-man equation. He said the Bears want to build from the inside out, leaning on line play, defense and the kind of complementary football that keeps everyone involved.
"We win as a team," Aranda said. "We want him to play free."
Aranda also had plenty of praise for Lagway’s approach. He said the quarterback has been bringing teammates together for throwing sessions and building connections across the roster.
"He gets guys to throw. He has meetings with skill players.
He takes guys across the country to go throw," Aranda said. "The offensive linemen, they all want to be around him and they all want to play for him."
Aranda’s comments also touched on the changing economics of the sport. He said programs with much bigger roster budgets now create a tougher path for schools trying to break through.
"The ability to make that jump when you're playing teams with $15 to $20 million more than you in their roster is difficult to do," Aranda said, while adding that a breakthrough season can still help generate more support.
He also voiced concern about NIL and direct compensation filtering down to the high school level.
"I'm not a big fan of it," he said. "Money complicates things."
Aranda opened his session by saluting Texas high school coaches, describing them as mentors, teachers, father figures and steady sources of support long after players leave campus.
"When they reach success and they have that winning moment, they're celebrating with the high school coach," Aranda said. "The high school coach texts them and checks up on them."
For Baylor, Aranda said, the season ahead will be shaped by all the work that has already happened before kickoff.
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