LSU Targets Dave Aranda for Lane Kiffin's Staff in Major Hire

LSU is attempting to hire a familiar face to Lane Kiffin's coaching staff.

Dave Aranda, the former Baylor head coach, is being targeted for an analyst role with the Tigers.

The news was first reported by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.

Aranda was fired by Baylor on October 25, 2026.

The Bears were 4-3 at the time of his dismissal.

Baylor lost to Kansas 25-24 the day before the firing.

That loss ended a 14-game Baylor winning streak in the series dating back to 2007.

Aranda finished his Baylor career with a 40-40 record over seven seasons.

He had just two winning seasons in Waco.

The best came in 2021, when the Bears went 12-2.

That season included a Big 12 championship win over Oklahoma State, 21-16.

Baylor then beat Ole Miss 21-7 in the Sugar Bowl.

Aranda was named the AP Big 12 Coach of the Year for that turnaround.

It came after a 2-7 finish in his first season, 2020.

The rest of his tenure was uneven.

Baylor went 6-7 in 2022, 3-9 in 2023, 8-5 in 2024, and 5-7 in 2025.

Baylor kept Aranda after the 2024 season.

President Linda Livingstone cited "financial stewardship" and "extreme volatility in college athletics" as reasons.

But this fall, athletic director Doug McNamee made the change.

"He is a gifted coach and a brilliant football mind whose leadership brought some of our best Baylor football memories," McNamee said.

"While this is a difficult moment, we believe a change in leadership is necessary at this time for our program."

Aranda is already in Baton Rouge, according to Zenitz's report.

LSU is working to make the hire official.

Aranda has not yet made a decision on his end, per FootballScoop.com.

It is not common for a Power 4 head coach to land another job in the same season he was fired.

The move would reunite Aranda with the program where he made his name.

Aranda was LSU's defensive coordinator from 2016 to 2019.

He arrived in Baton Rouge in January 2016.

Two years later, LSU kept him with a record four-year, $10 million deal for an assistant.

He was the defensive coordinator on the 2019 national championship team.

That LSU team went 15-0 and is considered one of the greatest in college football history.

Aranda built his reputation as a defensive coordinator at Wisconsin from 2013 to 2015.

Before that, he held defensive coordinator roles at Utah State in 2012 and Hawaii from 2010 to 2011.

Earlier stops include Delta State, two stints at his alma mater Cal Lutheran, Houston, and Texas Tech.

At Texas Tech, he was a graduate assistant under Mike Leach.

If hired, Aranda would join a defensive staff that already has significant experience.

Blake Baker is in his third season as LSU's defensive coordinator.

Kiffin held off a hard push from Tulane to keep Baker, according to reports.

Chris Kiffin, Lane's brother, is co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Ed Orgeron is also on staff as a special assistant to recruiting and defense.

Orgeron was LSU's head coach during Aranda's run and for the 2019 title.

The addition of Aranda would give LSU another experienced coaching mind.

It would not necessarily move mountains for the Tigers, but it adds championship pedigree.

LSU is preparing for a crucial SEC matchup on Saturday with Alabama.

The game could determine the College Football Playoff fate of both teams.

Kiffin is doing whatever he can to give LSU an edge.

Making an in-season addition to the coaching staff is part of that effort.

The timing of the potential hire is notable, coming just days before the Alabama game.

Aranda's familiarity with LSU's culture and recruiting base could be valuable.

He knows the SEC from his time in Baton Rouge.

He also has experience game-planning for top offenses.