Give Light is a $1.1 billion comprehensive campaign for the future of Baylor University. The campaign undergirds Illuminate, the University's Academic Strategic Plan, and will impact every aspect of campus life, from academics and athletics to student life and global engagement.
Texas Tour
Featuring Baylor Football Head Coach Dave Aranda
Throughout the summer, Baylor Alumni will host events across Texas to provide alumni and fans an opportunity to hear about Baylor football’s upcoming season. Baylor Football Head Coach Dave Aranda will share how he and his staff are building a culture of excellence that includes a commitment to the physical, social, and spiritual development of players and what fans can expect to see on the field this fall.
Linebacker Club
Join the Linebacker Club today and share in the excitement of Baylor Football! This special group of Baylor alumni and friends supports Head Coach Dave Aranda and our Baylor Football student-athletes. As a Linebacker Club member, you will receive exclusive benefits and enjoy private events with the Baylor Football staff. Your support will be used to provide the team with funds for equipment, training and other specific needs associated with building a championship program.
To give to Baylor Football without joining the Linebacker Club, select the button below.
About Our Speaker
Dave Aranda
Baylor Football Head Coach
A 2020 National Champion and 28-year coaching veteran, Dave Aranda was named the 28th head coach in Baylor Football history on Jan. 16, 2020. Aranda came to Waco after four seasons as associate head coach and defensive coordinator at LSU, including a 2020 National Championship and a 2019 SEC Championship.
Aranda has led the Bears to a pair of bowl games in his four seasons as the helm in Waco.
In just his second season in Waco, Aranda led Baylor to a third Big 12 Championship and the biggest bowl win in program history, a 21-7 Sugar Bowl victory over Ole Miss. The win was Baylor’s first BCS/New Year’s Six bowl win in the modern era.
The Bears also won 12 games for the first time in program history, despite being picked to finish eighth in the Big 12 preseason media poll. BU finished the season ranked No. 5 nationally, the highest final ranking in program history.
Following the season’s success, Aranda was named the 2021 George Munger Coach of the Year and was a 2021 Coach of the Year finalist for three separate awards, including the Bear Bryant Award, Dodd Trophy and Eddie Robinson Award. He also received Big 12 Coach of the Year honors from the Associated Press.
In 2021, Aranda's Bears tied for the best turnaround in college football, boasting a ten-win improvement from the previous year, including a school-record five wins against ranked opponents.
In six seasons as a defensive coordinator at a Power 5 Conference school, Aranda's defenses have been ranked in the Top 12 nationally in total yards five times. His defenses have also ranked among the top 10 in scoring four of the past seven years. Since taking over as the defensive coordinator at Utah State in 2014, Aranda's defenses have given up a touchdown or less in 48 of 108 games.
After he graduated from Redlands High School in California in 1994, numerous surgeries followed and ended his playing career. In 1995, he started his coaching resume at Redlands as an assistant coach. Aranda graduated from California Lutheran in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in philosophy. In 2002, he earned his master's degree in interdisciplinary studies at Texas Tech.
Aranda and his wife, Dione, have two daughters, Jaelyn and Jordyn, and a son, Ronin.