Baylor’s next football coach needs to be more than a clean fit for the moment. He needs to be the right fit for DJ Lagway.
That’s the real pressure point after Dave Aranda’s dismissal on Sunday. Defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman will steer the Bears for the final five games, and his first season in Waco gives him a legitimate case to stay in the conversation.
He inherited a defense that was second-to-last in the Big 12 in points allowed at 32.6 per game and turned it into Baylor’s best unit since the 2021 conference championship season. The turnaround showed up fast, too, with Baylor holding each of its first six opponents to 20 points or fewer.
Still, Baylor would be wise not to let that success push it toward the familiar answer. Klanderman, like Aranda before him, is a defensive mind without previous head coaching experience.
That kind of hire can work, but Baylor has already lived through that blueprint. The Bears need a different kind of leader this time, one built around offense and quarterback development.
That matters because of who is already on the roster.
Lagway arrived from Florida as a consensus five-star prospect and one of the top recruits in the 2024 class, carrying more hype than any Baylor quarterback since Jarrett Stidham in 2015. His arm strength, mobility and playmaking ability give the program a rare foundation. The problem is that Baylor has not consistently protected that talent with steady line play or a dependable run game, which has kept the offense from fully cashing in on what he can do.
An offensive head coach would not magically fix every issue, but Baylor needs someone who has shown he can develop quarterbacks and build a system that helps Lagway produce against quality defenses. The choice could even shape whether he stays in Waco.
Lagway has another season of eligibility in 2027, but Baylor can’t take that for granted. There’s no indication he plans to transfer, yet the chance to play in an offense that fits his strengths could matter.
That’s why Baylor should look outside the building.
Among the names recently identified by Baylor Bears on SI are Texas State’s G.J. Kinne, New Mexico’s Jason Eck and UTSA’s Jeff Traylor.
Kinne may be the cleanest offensive match for Lagway. A former Tulsa quarterback, he’s built a reputation for high-scoring teams at Incarnate Word and Texas State.
His first three seasons at Texas State produced top-15 scoring offenses nationally, and his background developing quarterbacks, along with his Texas recruiting ties, adds to the appeal. He also already owns a win over Baylor, after Texas State upset the Bears 42-31 in his debut as Bobcats head coach in 2023.
Eck is another name worth watching. He turned Idaho into an FCS playoff contender, then led New Mexico to nine wins in his first season in 2025.
His resume also includes three years as South Dakota State’s offensive coordinator, when the Jackrabbits averaged 37.5 points per game in 2021. That mix of offensive background and program-building experience makes him a serious candidate.
Traylor brings a different kind of résumé. He has deep Texas recruiting ties and guided UTSA to consecutive Conference USA titles in 2021 and 2022. He’s not viewed first as an offensive innovator, but his track record of building a program would give Baylor plenty to consider.
Baylor has not hired a permanent offensive-minded head coach since Art Briles in 2008. Since then, Matt Rhule and Aranda came from defensive backgrounds, while Jim Grobe served as interim head coach in 2016. This time, the Bears have a chance to break that pattern.
They shouldn’t make the search about one player alone. But with Lagway in place, his upside gives Baylor a rare opening to build around the most talented quarterback it has had in years. The next coach should be the one best positioned to make the most of that opportunity next season, before Lagway’s time in Waco runs out.
In Other News...
Miami Just Got A Big Recruiting Boost With One Huge Twist
A'mir Sears has already given Miami plenty to feel good about, and now the five-star athlete from Christopher Columbus High School has delivered another boost for the Hurricanes recruiting momentum. The local standout, who committed in July, has reclassified to the 2027 class and plans to enroll early at the University of Miami in January, adding another headline-grabbing name to a class that has stayed highly regarded on the national scene.
Sears is still making his mark on the prep stage, too, lining up as both a wide receiver and defensive back while continuing to put together a strong high school career. For Miami, the timing matters as much as the talent: the Hurricanes have kept their 2027 class among the countrys elite despite some recent movement, and Sears decision only adds to the buzz around what the program is building. [Read more 🡒]
Miamis Elite Local Commit Could Arrive Sooner Than Fans Expected
AMir Sears has already given Miami plenty to feel good about, and now the elite South Florida commit may be moving onto campus sooner than expected. The five-star two-way standout, who recently reclassified and is currently at Christopher Columbus High School, has been putting up eye-catching production on both sides of the ball this season while settling in as one of the most prized recruits in the class.
What makes this development especially important for the Hurricanes is the local angle. Sears had no shortage of major offers, but he chose to stay home, and his reported plan to enroll early at the University of Miami could accelerate the timeline on his impact. For a program always trying to keep top talent in South Florida, getting a player of his caliber in the building ahead of schedule would be a meaningful boost even before he takes his first college snap. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Looked Dangerous But One Problem Could Haunt Them At UNC
Miami left the Pittsburgh game with plenty to like on offense, especially through the air, and the win offered another reminder of how dangerous this group can be when the passing game is humming. The rushing attack was solid enough to keep the offense balanced, and the good news out of the night was that Miami came away without any notable injuries as it turned the page toward North Carolina.
The bigger question now is whether that formula will hold up against a stronger opponent. Even after a productive showing, concerns about Miamis pass rush and pass defense linger, and those are the areas most likely to be tested in Chapel Hill. Against a tougher lineup, the Hurricanes may need more than offensive rhythm to keep control of the game. [Read more 🡒]