:Dave Aranda

Born in Southern California to Mexican immigrant parents from Guadalajara, Aranda graduated from Redlands High School in Redlands, California in 1994, where he was a linebacker.{{cite web|title=Dave Aranda aka Super Dave Profile|url=http://hawaiiathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=618|publisher=University of Hawaii|access-date=December 17, 2012}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/college/2020/01/17/baylor-hires-dave-aranda-lsu-defense|title=The Background That Shapes Dave Aranda, Baylor's New Head Coach|last=Dellenger|first=Ross|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=January 17, 2020|access-date=January 29, 2021}}

After high school, Aranda retired from playing football due to injuries, so he became an assistant coach at Redlands High in 1995.{{cite web |title=Dave Aranda |url=https://lsusports.net/sports/football/roster/coaches/dave-aranda/2437 |publisher=Louisiana State University |access-date=January 29, 2021}} He tried to join the U.S. Navy, but his football injuries—specifically the aftereffects of a shoulder fracture he had suffered in high school—caused him to fail the physical. While coaching at his old high school, he also worked night shifts as a security guard.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/34426714/why-baylor-dave-aranda-unlike-college-football-coach-know |title=Why Baylor's Dave Aranda is unlike any college football coach you know |first=Dave |last=Wilson |website=ESPN.com |date=August 21, 2022 |access-date=August 21, 2022}} During this time, Aranda visited a friend who was attending California Lutheran University, and soon enrolled there in an attempt to return to play. While his injuries made it impossible for him to play, he got an opportunity to become a student assistant while an undergraduate, serving as linebackers coach for the Kingsmen from 1996 to 1999. Aranda was also the roommate of Tom Herman.{{cite web|title='West Coast Cradle of Coaches': Ohio State's Tom Herman, Wisconsin's Dave Aranda products of unlikely coaching tree|date=December 5, 2014 |url=http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2014/12/west_coast_cradle_of_coaches_o.html|publisher=Cleveland.Com|access-date=November 25, 2016}} Aranda graduated from Cal Lutheran in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in philosophy.{{Cite web|url=http://www.callutheran.edu/news/story.html?id=9953|title=Small school, big impact|first=California Lutheran|last=University|website=www.callutheran.edu}} He also sought out coaches to talk about the profession, and became enamored with the book Thinking Body, Dancing Mind by sports psychologist Jerry Lynch, who has consulted with numerous championship teams in several sports and whose thinking has influenced coaches such as Phil Jackson and Steve Kerr.

In 2000, Aranda enrolled in graduate school at Texas Tech University and served as a graduate assistant for Texas Tech Red Raiders football from 2000 to 2002 under Mike Leach. While back in Southern California during an offseason break in 2001, Aranda cold-called Lynch and asked for a face-to-face meeting with him in Santa Cruz, about 300 miles from Redlands. In a 2022 ESPN story, Lynch, who normally works with teams instead of individuals, recalled, "There was something about Dave when he contacted me. I felt, through his words, a sense of being genuine, authentic and vulnerable. Those are the three keys that attract me to people. It's almost like, OK, I don't want to let this opportunity go by so I saw it as an opportunity for me to learn about this young man." Aranda spent three days with Lynch, and they have maintained their relationship ever since, with Aranda having written the foreword to Lynch's 13th book, Everyday Champion Wisdom.

From 2003 to 2004, Aranda was linebackers coach at Houston. He then returned to Cal Lutheran as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, positions he held for the 2005 and 2006 seasons. In 2007, Aranda was defensive coordinator and secondary coach for Delta State.

Following stints at California Lutheran and Delta State University, in 2008 he was tapped by his coaching mentor, Greg McMackin, to serve as the defensive line coach for the University of Hawaii Warriors.{{cite web|url=http://hawaiiathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=7&path=football|title=Dave Aranda (official bio)|work=hawaiiathletics.com}} In Aranda's first season, he cultivated a talented unit that included David Veikune, Joshua Leonard and Keala Watson. In 2009, Aranda was credited with developing a creative defensive scheme that stymied Navy's vaunted rushing attack and allowed the Warriors to earn a 24–17 victory over a Midshipmen squad that defeated Notre Dame two weeks earlier. The following year he was elevated to defensive coordinator. He helped lead the Warriors to victory in nine of their last ten regular season games. In those wins, Aranda's opportunistic defense limited the opposition to 16.1 points per game, only allowed 2.4 yards per rush and held Colin Kaepernick in check en route to handing the Nevada Wolf Pack its only loss of the season. Under Aranda's guidance the Warriors led the nation in turnovers caused (38) and tied a school record for most defensive touchdowns (5).

Although the Warriors struggled to a 6–7 record in 2011, Aranda's defense was particularly impressive in a 34–17 drubbing of Colorado.{{cite web | last=Riley | first=Kevin | title=Hawaii Football: Bryant Moniz Outruns Buffaloes and Defense Suffocates Them | website=Bleacher Report | date=2011-09-04 | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/834499-hawaii-football-bryant-moniz-outruns-buffaloes-and-defense-suffocates-them | access-date=2025-01-11}} Leading up to the game, Colorado coach Jon Embree boasted that as to Hawaii's defense, the Buffaloes were going to "run the ball down their throat."{{cite web|url=http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/football/sophomore-slumps/|title=Sophomore slumps|work=hawaiiwarriorworld.com|access-date=January 5, 2018}} Aranda, who later acknowledged that he took Embree's comment personally, met the challenge head on and limited the boastful Buffaloes to just 17 net rushing yards on the night.Id. For the year, Aranda's defense led the Western Athletic Conference and was tied for 15th in the FBS in sacks (35).{{cite web|url=http://www.hawaiiathletics.com/news/2015/9/24/FB_0924154441.aspx?|title=Football Is On the Clock in Madison; Facing No. 22 Wisconsin Saturday|work=hawaiiathletics.com|date=September 24, 2015 }} At the conclusion of the season, he found himself on the wrong-side of the ledger and was fired after head coach Greg McMackin resigned.{{cite web | last=Dellenger | first=Ross | title=On The Record: Dave Aranda, Part II, on moving to Baton Rouge, his one-time firing | website=The Advocate | date=2016-01-09 | url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_384b9e28-85ea-5429-90c9-29f7620f1260.html | access-date=2024-10-21}} Despite the circumstances, Aranda said later "I miss the family atmosphere there. I miss the people."{{cite web|url=https://badgerherald.com/sports/2015/09/23/football-coaching-staff-sees-familiarity-in-hawaii/|title=Football:Coaching staff sees familiarity in Hawaii|work=hawaiiathletics.com|date=September 23, 2015 }}

File:Dave Aranda in 2012.jpg]]

In 2012, Aranda was the defensive coordinator for one year for the Utah State Aggies under Gary Andersen. That same year he was a nominee for the Broyles Award as the Aggies defense finished in the top 15 of all FBS schools in all four major defensive categories; seventh in scoring defense (15.4 points per game), 13th in rushing defense (113.8 yards per game), eighth in pass-efficiency defense (14 interceptions, 12 touchdowns, 54.1% completion rate, 5.7 yards per attempt) and 14th in total defense (322.1 ypg).{{cite web|title=Nominees Announced For 2012 Broyles Award|url=http://www.broylesaward.com/press-releases/2012/11/21/nominees-announced-for-2012-broyles-award|publisher=Rotary Club of Little Rock|access-date=December 17, 2012|archive-date=December 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201135735/http://www.broylesaward.com/press-releases/2012/11/21/nominees-announced-for-2012-broyles-award|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/sports/badgers/new-defensive-coordinator-wants-uw-defense-to-attack-b9966727z1-218038261.html|title=New defensive coordinator wants UW defense to attack|author=Jeff Potrykus}}

When Gary Andersen was hired as the new Wisconsin Badgers head coach, following the 2012 football season, Aranda followed him to Wisconsin. Aranda turned down offers from Texas Tech and California.{{Cite web |last=Mulhern |first=Tom |date=2013-01-15 |title=Badgers football: Dave Aranda has no plans to rock the boat |url=https://madison.com/sports/college/football/badgers-football-dave-aranda-has-no-plans-to-rock-the-boat/article_94be3a78-5ebc-11e2-a827-001a4bcf887a.html |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Wisconsin State Journal |language=en}} Aranda changed the Badgers' base defense from a 4–3 to a 3–4 and developed a more aggressive defense, putting pressure on the quarterback. His first year as defensive coordinator the Badgers defense ranked in the top 20 in all four major defensive categories; scoring defense (6th), total defense (7th), rushing defense (5th) and passing defense (17th).{{cite web|url=http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/dave_aranda_833458.html |title=Dave Aranda Bio - UWBadgers.com - The Official Athletic Site of the Wisconsin Badgers |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103132124/http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/dave_aranda_833458.html |archive-date=November 3, 2014 }}

Week 10 of the 2014 football season Aranda was named Coordinator of the Week by Athlon Sports{{Cite web |last=Lassan |first=Steven |date=2014-11-02 |title=Tennessee's Joshua Dobbs is Athlon Sports' Week 10 Player of the Week |url=https://athlonsports.com/college-football/tennessees-joshua-dobbs-athlon-sports-week-10-player-week |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Athlon Sports |language=en}} after his Wisconsin Badgers defense shutout Rutgers Scarlet Knights 37–0. It was Wisconsin's first road shutout since 1998.{{Cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/wisconsin/Article/Badgers-Make-Another-B1G-Statement-105149540/|title=Badgers Make Another B1G Statement|website=Badger247}} The Badgers took 1st place in the West Division with a 10–2 record, going 7–1 in the conference. Wisconsin played Ohio State for the conference title in the 2014 Big Ten Championship Game where the Badgers lost to Ohio State 59–0. It was the first time since 1997 that the Badgers were shutout and the worst loss since 1979 when Ohio State also defeated the Badgers 59–0.{{cite web |title=Badgers Suffer Big Ten Title Game Beatdown, 59–0|url=http://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/badgers-suffer-big-ten-title-game-beatdown-59-0-120614|work=Fox Sports Wisconsin|agency=Associated Press|date=December 6, 2014|access-date=December 9, 2014}}

Four days after the Badgers lost to Ohio State, Gary Andersen departed Wisconsin for Oregon State.{{Cite web |last=McGuire |first=Kevin |date=2014-12-10 |title=Oregon State hires Wisconsin's Gary Andersen |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/college-football/news/oregon-state-hires-wisconsins-gary-andersen |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} Former Badgers offensive coordinator (2005–2011) and Pitt head coach (2012–2014), Paul Chryst, was hired as the next head coach of the Badgers. Aranda was the only assistant coach to remain on the coaching staff after Andersen's departure.{{cite web|url=http://wisconsin.scout.com/story/1502049-chryst-announces-five-more-hirings?s=193|title=Wisconsin Badgers Football, Basketball, and Recruiting Front Page|work=scout.com}}

Two of Aranda's three years at Wisconsin one of his linebackers won the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, Chris Borland in 2013 and Joe Schobert in 2015. Borland also won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. Aranda alongside his OLB coach Tim Tibesar were named Linebacker Coaches of the Year for 2015 by FootballScoop.{{Cite web|url=https://footballscoop.com/news/dave-aranda-and-tim-tibesar-linebackers-coaches-of-the-year/|title=Dave Aranda and Tim Tibesar – Linebackers Coaches of the Year|first=Zach|last=Barnett|date=January 4, 2016}} Over Aranda's three-year span as defensive coordinator at Wisconsin his defense ranked first nationally in total defense, second in scoring defense, third in pass defense and fourth in run defense.{{Cite web |last=Temple |first=Jesse |date=2016-01-02 |title=LSU job too good to turn down for Badgers coordinator Dave Aranda |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/129297/for-former-wisconsin-dc-dave-aranda-lsu-was-a-job-he-couldnt-turn-down |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} His final season with the Badgers his defense came in first in scoring defense, allowing just 13.1 points per game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs|title=NCAA College Football FBS 2016 team Stats | NCAA.com|website=www.ncaa.com}}

File:LSUvsNWLA 1001A (49105590166).jpg]]

On January 1, 2016, it was announced that Aranda was hired to replace Kevin Steele as defensive coordinator for the LSU Tigers.{{Cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/lsu-tigers-dave-aranda-wisconsin-badgers-defensive-coordinator-les-miles-kevin-steele-010116|title=LSU starts new year strong, hires Wisconsin's Dave Aranda as DC|first=2016 at 10:45p|last=ET|date=January 1, 2016|website=FOX Sports}} The move to LSU saw his starting salary more than double from $520,000 to $1.3 million. His contract was guaranteed for three years and was not tied to the contract of LSU head coach Ed Orgeron.[http://host.madison.com/wsj/sports/college/football/badgers-football-dave-aranda-nearly-triples-salary-with-move-to/article_8f3cb4d6-2d4b-5a77-bcd8-7b029869609c.html Badgers football: Dave Aranda nearly triples salary with move to LSU] by John Hart, Wisconsin State Journal, January 3, 2016 On January 5, 2018, it was announced that Aranda received a new four-year contract that will pay him $2.5 million annually and the entire $10 million deal is guaranteed. Aranda was also given the title Associate head coach. This was in response to several attempts by Texas A&M to hire Aranda.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21954646/lsu-tigers-sign-defensive-coordinator-dave-aranda-new-four-year-10m-deal|title=Source: LSU DC Dave Aranda remains nation's top-paid assistant with new 4-year, $10M deal|work=espn.com|date=January 4, 2018 |access-date=January 5, 2018}} In 2019 season, he won a championship with LSU.{{Cite web |last=Richardson |first=Kyle |date=2022-08-24 |title=Dave Aranda explains how he felt like 'a machine' as LSU's defensive coordinator |url=https://lsutigerswire.usatoday.com/2022/08/24/lsu-football-dave-aranda-reflects-on-time-with-lsu/ |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=LSU Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}}

On January 16, 2020, Aranda was named the head coach at Baylor University, replacing Matt Rhule, who left to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.{{Cite web|url=https://baylorbears.com/news/2020/1/16/dave-aranda-named-baylor-football-head-coach.aspx|title=Dave Aranda Named Baylor Football Head Coach|website=Baylor University Athletics|language=en|access-date=2020-01-17}}

File:Dave Aranda After Beating Oklahoma 27-14 on November 13, 2021.jpg

In the spring of 2020, Aranda was tasked with navigating the 2020 Baylor Bears football team through the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bears' spring practices as well as the Baylor football spring "Green and Gold game" were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving first time head coach Aranda and his new team without practice prior to entering the 2020 football season.{{cite web |title=Baylor football announces cancellation of spring game, pro day |url=https://www.kwtx.com/content/sports/Baylor-football-announces-cancellation-of-spring-game-pro-day-568908601.html |website=KWTX |date=March 18, 2020 |publisher=KWTX-TV News 10 |access-date=3 April 2020}} Aranda finished the 2020 season 2–7 overall, and 2–7 in Big 12 play. After the season concluded, Aranda and Baylor parted ways with the Bears' first year offensive coordinator, Larry Fedora, and then later hired Jeff Grimes from Brigham Young University for the same role.{{Cite web |last=Cherry |first=Brice |date=2020-12-22 |title=Baylor OC Fedora won't return to Aranda's staff in 2021 |url=https://wacotrib.com/sports/college/baylor/baylor-oc-fedora-wont-return-to-arandas-staff-in-2021/article_bca06808-44a6-11eb-8d21-4fa848dc031a.html |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Waco Tribune-Herald |language=en}}

In 2021, Aranda led the Bears to their best season in school history. The Bears were ranked in the top 25 for the majority of the 2021 football season and finished with a 12–2 record (7–2 in Big 12 play), the most wins in program history. In the 2021 Big 12 Championship Game, Aranda and the Bears beat Oklahoma State 21–16 on an iconic goal line stand to win Baylor's 3rd Big 12 football championship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kwtx.com/2021/12/06/photographer-captures-kwtx-reporters-jaw-dropping-reaction-baylors-soon-to-be-iconic-goal-line-stand/|title=AP Photographer captures KWTX reporter's jaw-dropping reaction to Baylor's goal line stand|access-date=7 January 2022|date=December 6, 2021|website=KWTX.com|language=en}} The season ended with a historic Sugar Bowl win where they beat Ole Miss 21-7.{{Cite web |last=Werner |first=John |date=2022-01-02 |title=Sugar Bowl notebook: Smith breaks Baylor single-season rushing record |url=https://wacotrib.com/sports/college/baylor/sugar-bowl-notebook-smith-breaks-baylor-single-season-rushing-record/article_e04ca46e-6b98-11ec-a37a-fbff1c1db394.html |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Waco Tribune-Herald |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Carlton |first=Chuck |date=2022-01-02 |title=Sugar Bowl quick hits: Abram Smith breaks Baylor's single-season rushing record |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/baylor-bears/2022/01/02/sugar-bowl-quick-hits-abram-smith-breaks-baylors-single-season-rushing-record/ |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Dallas News |language=en}} Aranda won the AP Big 12 Coach of the Year (2021),{{cite web |title=Baylor's Dave Aranda Named AP Big 12 Coach of the Year|date=December 9, 2021 |url=https://www.heartlandcollegesports.com/2021/12/09/baylors-dave-aranda-named-ap-big-12-coach-of-the-year/|publisher=Heartland College Sports|access-date=7 January 2022}} the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards program's Big 12 Coach of the Year,{{cite web |title=Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards finalists and conference coaches of the year awardees named|url=https://newsroom.heart.org/news/paul-bear-bryant-awards-finalists-and-conference-coaches-of-the-year-awardees-named|publisher=American Heart Association|access-date=7 January 2022}} and was the first Baylor football coach to win the George Munger Award. {{cite web |title=The Maxwell Football Club Announces Baylor Head Coach Dave Aranda as the 2021 George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award |url=https://big12sports.com/news/2022/1/19/the-maxwell-football-club-announces-baylor-head-coach-dave-aranda-as-the-2021-george-munger-collegiate-coach-of-the-year-award.aspx |website=big12sports.com |date=January 19, 2022 |access-date=19 January 2022}} Aranda was also a finalist for many other national awards, including the 2021 Eddie Robinson Award,{{cite web |title=Aranda Named Coach of the Year Finalist |url=https://baylorbears.com/news/2021/12/7/football-aranda-named-coach-of-the-year-finalist.aspx|website=baylorbears.com|publisher=Baylor University|access-date=7 January 2022}} Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award,{{cite web |title=Aranda Named Coach of the Year Finalist |url=https://www.heartlandcollegesports.com/2021/12/21/baylor-head-coach-dave-aranda-named-dodd-trophy-finalist/|website=heartlandcollegesports.com|date=December 21, 2021 |publisher=Heartland College Sports|access-date=7 January 2022}} Associated Press College Football Coach of the Year Award,{{Cite web |last=Russo |first=Ralph D. |date=December 10, 2021 |title=Aranda Named Coach of the Year Finalist |url=https://apnews.com/article/jim-harbaugh-michigan-ap-college-football-coach-of-the-year-606abc1a2ae43a066d80ea5f992582ae |access-date=7 January 2022 |website=AP News}} and Paul "Bear" Bryant Award for National Coach of the Year.{{cite web |title=Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards finalists and conference coaches of the year awardees named|url=https://newsroom.heart.org/news/paul-bear-bryant-awards-finalists-and-conference-coaches-of-the-year-awardees-named|publisher=American Heart Association|access-date=7 January 2022}}

Team defensive statistics where Aranda was defensive coordinator.

{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = both}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead

| name = Baylor Bears

| conf = Big 12 Conference

| startyear = 2020

| endyear =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| year = 2020

| name = Baylor

| overall = 2–7

| conference = 2–7

| confstanding = 9th

| bowlname =

| bowloutcome =

| bcsbowl =

| ranking =

| ranking2 =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship = conference

| year = 2021

| name = Baylor

| overall = 12–2

| conference = 7–2

| confstanding = 1st

| bowlname = Sugar

| bowloutcome = W

| bcsbowl = yes

| ranking = 6

| ranking2 = 5

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 2022

| name = Baylor

| overall = 6–7

| conference = 4–5

| confstanding = T–5th

| bowlname = Armed Forces

| bowloutcome = L

| bcsbowl =

| ranking =

| ranking2 =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 2023

| name = Baylor

| overall = 3–9

| conference = 2–7

| confstanding = T–11th

| bowlname =

| bowloutcome =

| bcsbowl =

| ranking =

| ranking2 =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 2024

| name = Baylor

| overall = 8–5

| conference = 6–3

| confstanding = T–5th

| bowlname = Texas

| bowloutcome = L

| bcsbowl =

| ranking =

| ranking2 =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = Baylor

| overall = 31–30

| confrecord = 21–24

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record End

| overall = 31–30

| bowls = yes

| poll = two

| yearstart = 2020

| legend = yes

}}

Aranda is a Christian.{{cite web |last1=Doering |first1=Joshua |title=Coach Dave Aranda leads 10th-ranked Baylor with 'Christian faith out front' |url=https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/football/2022/08/17/coach-dave-aranda-baylor-christian-faith/ |website=Sports Spectrum |date=August 17, 2022 |access-date=30 November 2022}} He is married to Dione Aranda. They have two daughters and one son.{{cite web |last1=Hill |first1=Jerry |title=It's a Family Matter |date=April 6, 2020 |url=https://www.baylor.edu/alumni/magazine/1803/index.php?id=967515 |access-date=30 November 2022}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Twitter|CoachDaveAranda}}
• [https://baylorbears.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/dave-aranda/1649 Baylor profile]

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Category:1976 births

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