The term "hot seat" and Auburn football head coaches have been synonymous for several seasons. The Tigers get a break from hot-seat chatter this season with Alex Golesh entering his first season on the Plains.
However, the same can not be said for Auburn football's season-opening opponent.
Like Auburn, Baylor missed out on bowl season in 2025 after finishing 5-7, its third losing season since Dave Aranda took over as head coach in 2020. USA TODAY's Paul Myerberg points out that Aranda has dug the Bears out of several holes during his six-year tenure, but missing a bowl game after posting an eight-win campaign in 2024 has put him in hot water.
"Aranda has been in this spot before, writes Myerberg. "He was on the hot seat after a three-win 2023 season but led the Bears to eight wins and the Texas Bowl the following year to put himself on firmer ground. But last year was a step back: Baylor dropped five of six in the second half and went 5-7 overall. Baylor has the potential to be a major player in the NIL space and is running low on patience heading into Aranda’s seventh season."
Aranda appears to have a challenge ahead of him as the Bears boast the 42nd-toughest schedule in the country according to ESPN's Football Power Index, which ranks No. 2 among Big 12 programs. After facing Auburn, Baylor will play eight straight unranked opponents before entering a gauntlet of three straight ranked opponents in BYU, Texas Tech, and Houston.
Aranda will hope for a strong offensive showing from transfer quarterback DJ Lagway this season, as well as a season-opening win over Auburn, to cool off his seat.
Other head coaches joining Aranda on USA TODAY's hot seat list include Mississippi State's Jeff Lebby, USC's Lincoln Riley, and Florida State's Mike Norvell.
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Baylor HC Dave Aranda facing pressure before opener vs. Auburn
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