Lane Kiffin Targets Fired Coach for LSU Staff

Lane Kiffin is working to bring former Baylor head coach Dave Aranda onto his LSU staff as an analyst, according to multiple reports.

The move would reunite Aranda with the program where he served as defensive coordinator during the 2019 national championship season.

Aranda was fired by Baylor on October 27, 2026, after a 4-5 start to the season.

He compiled a 24-28 record in four-plus seasons with the Bears, including a 12-2 campaign in 2021 that ended with a Big 12 championship and a Sugar Bowl win.

Before taking the Baylor job in 2020, Aranda spent four seasons as LSU's defensive coordinator under Ed Orgeron.

His 2019 LSU defense ranked No. 1 in the SEC in scoring defense, allowing just 21.7 points per game, and helped the Tigers win the College Football Playoff national title.

Kiffin, now in his second season at LSU, is preparing for the biggest game of his tenure: a home matchup against Alabama on Saturday, November 7, 2026.

The Tigers enter the game at 7-2 overall and 4-2 in SEC play, sitting just outside the top 10 of the College Football Playoff rankings.

A win over Alabama would likely push LSU into playoff contention and mark the signature victory Kiffin has lacked since taking over in Baton Rouge.

The question of whether beating Alabama would be the biggest win of Kiffin's career has been a recurring topic among LSU fans and media.

Kiffin's resume includes wins over Alabama during his time as offensive coordinator at Alabama under Nick Saban, but he has never beaten the Crimson Tide as a head coach.

His overall record against Alabama as a head coach is 0-4, with losses at both Ole Miss and LSU.

Adding Aranda to the staff would bring a familiar defensive mind back into the building just as LSU prepares for the stretch run.

Aranda is widely respected for his defensive schemes, particularly his use of multiple fronts and pressure packages.

During his time at Baylor, his defenses ranked in the top 30 nationally in scoring defense in 2021 and 2022.

At LSU, he would likely serve in an off-field analyst role, helping defensive coordinator Blake Baker with game planning and film study.

Analyst positions are not subject to the same NCAA recruiting restrictions as on-field coaches, allowing teams to add experienced former head coaches without affecting their coaching staff limits.

The move would also give Kiffin access to Aranda's deep knowledge of the SEC and the college football landscape.

Aranda has coached in the SEC, Big 12 and Pac-12 over his career, and his connections in Texas — a critical recruiting battleground for LSU — could prove valuable.

LSU currently has the No. 7 recruiting class for 2027, according to On3, and the Tigers are in the mix for several top prospects from Texas.

The addition of Aranda could also help stabilize a defensive unit that has shown inconsistency this season.

LSU ranks 42nd nationally in total defense, allowing 356.8 yards per game, and 39th in scoring defense at 22.2 points per game.

The Tigers have struggled against the run at times, giving up 148.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks 57th in the country.

Alabama enters Saturday's game averaging 205.6 rushing yards per game, led by freshman running back Jalen Hale.

Aranda's defenses at LSU were known for their ability to stop the run and create negative plays.

In 2019, LSU allowed just 113.8 rushing yards per game and recorded 106 tackles for loss.

The timing of the potential hire — just days before the Alabama game — has fueled speculation about how quickly Aranda could have an impact.

Most analysts who join a staff in November are limited to scouting and preparation work, but their presence can provide a psychological boost to the locker room.

Players who were part of the 2019 team have publicly expressed excitement about the possibility of Aranda returning.

Former LSU linebacker Damone Clark, now with the Dallas Cowboys, posted on social media: "Bring him home. That man changed my life."

Neither LSU nor Aranda have confirmed the move, and it remains unclear when an official announcement might come.

The reports originated from On3 and were corroborated by FootballScoop.com and Sports Illustrated.

Kiffin has not addressed the reports publicly, as his focus remains on the Alabama game.

When asked about potential staff changes during his Monday press conference, Kiffin said: "We're locked in on Alabama. That's all that matters right now."

The addition of Aranda would continue a trend of Kiffin surrounding himself with experienced former head coaches.

He previously hired former Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke as an analyst at LSU, and former Florida head coach Dan Mullen has served as a consultant for the program.

Kiffin has often said that he values having people around him who have been in the head coach's chair and can offer perspective.

"The best advice I get comes from guys who have done it," Kiffin said earlier this season.

"They see things I might miss."

Aranda's relationship with Kiffin dates back to their time together in the SEC West, when Kiffin was at Ole Miss and Aranda was at LSU.

The two have a mutual respect for each other's football acumen, according to people familiar with both coaches.

If the hire goes through, Aranda would join a staff that includes offensive coordinator Joe Sloan, defensive coordinator Blake Baker, and special teams coordinator Slade Nagle.

The analyst role would allow Aranda to work closely with Baker on defensive game plans without the pressure of being the primary play-caller.

It would also give Aranda a chance to rebuild his reputation after a disappointing end to his tenure at Baylor.

Aranda was hired at Baylor in 2020 to replace Matt Rhule, who left for the Carolina Panthers.

He inherited a program that had gone 11-3 the previous season but lost several key players to the NFL.

After a 2-7 season in 2020, Aranda led Baylor to a 12-2 record and a Big 12 championship in 2021, earning him national coach of the year honors.

But the Bears slipped to 6-7 in 2022, 7-6 in 2023, 5-7 in 2024, and 4-5 in 2025 before Aranda was fired.