By Jordan SiglerShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberOn Saturday, Baylor revealed the program was set to retain head coach Dave Aranda for 2026.
More News: Texas-Steve Sarkisian Exit Rumor Pops After Blowout Loss
There had been speculation that the Bears could look to move on from Aranda following a disappointing fall. BU is 5-6 this season, and Aranda has a 36–36 record during his six seasons in Waco.
However, things in the program changed following the decision of athletic director Mack Rhoades to step down from his position for personal reasons. Baylor is investigating unspecified allegations against Rhoades.
...More News: Ole Miss Could Fire Lane Kiffin Before College Football Playoff
Still, Aranda could be on the hot seat to begin 2026, as he has been unable to reach the heights that Art Briles and Matt Rhule were able to during their time with the school.
Briles had a good thing going with the Bears, but was fired in 2016 for reasons unrelated to the program's success on the field.
Per Brett McMurphy of On3, Briles is returning to coach college football. Eastern New Mexico signed him to a three-year contract.
"Former Baylor coach Art Briles hired at Division II Eastern New Mexico, sources told @On3sports," McMurphy posted on X. "Briles received a 3-year contract & has a buyout in excess of $1 million if he leaves the school, source said."
Loading twitter content...
Following his departure from Baylor, Briles took a job in the Italian Football League to coach the Guelfi Firenze. He coached Mount Vernon High School for two seasons. He returned to the IFL to coach the Firenze in 2022 and won the championship.
Before coaching at Baylor, Briles went 34-28 during his five seasons at Houston. The Cougars won the Conference USA championship in 2006.
He went 65-37 during his eight seasons with the Bears. Baylor won back-to-back Big 12 championships in 2013 and 2014. Biles won the AP College Football Coach of the Year in 2013, when Baylor finished 11-2.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
NCAACollege Football QB Facing Major Punishment After Spitting on Opponent3 min read
NCAAPenn State Players Know Who Should Replace James Franklin2 min read
NCAAVirginia Tech’s James Franklin Could Poach Top Coordinator From Big Ten Power3 min read
NCAAElite College Football Program Loses 19 Commits Over Last Month2 min read
NCAALincoln Riley ‘Heard’ as Lane Kiffin Backup Option for SEC Program3 min read
NCAARyan Day Gives Major Injury Update on Jeremiah Smith Ahead of Michigan Game2 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
NewsMap Shows States Where COVID Is Rising Before Thanksgiving3 min read
WorldUkrainian Troops Push Back in Fierce Fight for Key City—Kyiv5 min read
PoliticsZohran Mamdani Recounts Visit With Donald Trump5 min read
NewsMarjorie Taylor Greene’s Next Move? What Polls Tell Us4 min read
NewsFormer Arizona News Anchor Sentenced For Pandemic Fraud: What To Know3 min read
PoliticsEurope Offers G8 Return to Russia for Ukraine Peace Deal8 min readTrending
Higher EducationFull List of Degrees Not Classed As ‘Professional’ by Trump Admin8 min read
WeatherWinter Weather Alerts in 4 States As 18 Inches of Snow To Hit3 min read
Social SecuritySocial Security Issues Update on 2025 Changes4 min read
AuburnAuburn Expected to Hire Coveted Head Coach: Report3 min read
WeatherMaps Show Snow Risk for Each State Over Thanksgiving 2025 Holidays3 min readOpinion
OpinionConventional Wisdom: Price of Culture Edition3 min read
OpinionLatinos Catch the Fish. Why Aren’t They at the Decision-Making Table? | Opinion5 min read
OpinionWhy Is the US Punishing Legal Immigrants? | Opinion5 min read
OpinionWhat Is an American?6 min read
OpinionConventional Wisdom: MAGA Infighting Edition2 min read
