The Baylor Bears suffered a gut-wrenching defeat to the Auburn Tigers, 17-16, in the season opener. Baylor HC Dave Aranda has had his fair share of criticism headed his way, and after his controversial decision to go for two for the win didn’t pay off, he’s getting destroyed for his choice.
Now, people are calling for Aranda to be fired in the aftermath.
Calls Mount for Baylor HC Dave Aranda to Be Fired
Aranda’s controversial decision cost them their season opener. Baylor fans were hoping to look better after a down year, and with highly anticipated transfer DJ Lagway at QB, there was hype around this team. Instead, they fell agonizingly short, and fans grilled Aranda.
“DAVE ARANDA GET OUT ALREADY HOLY [EXPLETIVE],” said one fan.
“Fire coach Dave Aranda. Don’t wait. Don’t overthink it. Fire him doesn’t understand the rules of overtime. Both teams get the ball,” said another fan.
Fire coach Dave Aranda. Don’t wait. Don’t overthink it. Fire him doesn’t understand rules of overtime. Both teams get the ball.
— Art Stricklin (@artstricklin) September 5, 2026
If Lagway completed the two-point conversion pass attempt, Aranda likely wouldn’t have found himself catching heat. Well, maybe not. Others were unconvinced by his coaching decisions, regardless of whether they worked.
“Aranda out here trying to get fired after game 1. Ludicrous going for 2 when your team hasn’t seen the end zone all game,” said one fan.
Aranda out here trying to get fired after game 1. Ludicrous going for 2 when your team hasn’t seen the end zone all game.
— 🍊👨🏼🚀 (@CitroKnaut) September 5, 2026
“The clock management by Aranda here is fireable, even if it works,” added another fan.
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Aranda was in the hot seat entering the season, and now it’s nearly scorching hot. He’s far from the good graces of his own fanbase, and they made it plenty clear they want him out.
“ARANDA IS THE DUMBEST COACH I’VE SEEN WITH MY TWO EYES. WHY WOULD YOU GO FOR IT?” said one fan.
ARANDA IS THE DUMBEST COACH IVE SEEN WITH MY TWO EYES. WHY WOULD YOU GO FOR IT
— Golden Cheese (@Golden__Cheese) September 5, 2026
Aranda’s offense was struggling, and Lagway was toughing out an injury. However, if they had converted the short conversion, they would have ended the game there with a win.
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Whether that was Aranda’s thought process or not, Baylor fans don’t care. They are melting down on their team’s message board.
#Baylor lost. #FireEverybody pic.twitter.com/NGxKcm6Tzv
— Message Board Geniuses (@BoardGeniuses) September 5, 2026
Baylor will want this game back because it was winnable. They had the chance to get off on the right foot, but instead, it didn’t go their way, and now the sky is falling in Waco.
Luckily, they’ll have a few easy-ish games against Prairie View A&M and Louisiana Tech to get back on track while they try to get Lagway back to 100% after his injury scare today.
