The hits to LSU’s coaching staff just keep on coming.
Not long after passing game coordinator Joe Brady officially was announced as the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, LSU’s defensive guru Dave Aranda is expected to be the next head coach of the Baylor Bears. The news was first reported by Bruce Feldman of the Athletic.
Aranda, who has been the defensive coordinator for the Tigers since 2016, was considered a front-runner for the job on Thursday morning after Virginia Tech and Louisiana head coaches Justin Fuente and Billy Napier announced that they were not interested in the job.
Baylor will mark Aranda’s first head-coaching job. He also served as defensive coordinator at Wisconsin, Utah State, Hawaii, Southern Utah, Delta State and Cal Lutheran, his alma mater.
While at LSU, Aranda’s total defense ranked No. 10 nationally in 2016, No. 12 in 2017, No. 25 in 2018 and as part of LSU’s National Championship team in 2019 ranked No. 31. At Wisconsin his defenses ranked No. 7 in 2013, No. 4 in 2014 and No. 2 in 2015. His 2012 Utah State unit ranked No. 14.
Aranda’s 2019 National Championship defense finished ranked No. 18 nationally according to SP+, collecting 37.0 sacks and forcing 22 turnovers. The Tigers held a potent Clemson offense that averaged 43.9 points and 528.7 yards per game on the season to just 25 points and 394 yards.