LSU football will head to Houston to face Baylor in the Texas Bowl. We’re still a few weeks away from kickoff on New Year’s Eve. But once the transfer portal talk settles down, attention will shift to the game.
LSU will see an old friend on the opposite sideline — former LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda.
Aranda spent four years at LSU, coordinating some of the best defenses in the country. In 2016, Aranda’s first year with the Tigers, LSU ranked fifth nationally in scoring defense. LSU ranked in the top 15 again in 2017.
In 2019, Aranda led the defense as LSU went on to win a national title. LSU’s defense finished 20th in SP+ while facing one of the toughest schedules in the country.
Aranda parlayed that success into the gig at Baylor.
In 2021, Aranda led Baylor to a Big 12 championship and Sugar Bowl title. That was followed up by back-to-back losing seasons, but Aranda and Baylor found new life in 2024. Baylor enters the Texas Bowl at 8-4, riding a win streak.
Aranda’s name was tossed around when LSU was looking for a new head coach in 2021. Given the previous connection and the success Baylor was having at the time, the match made sense. Aranda opted to sign an extension with Baylor while LSU hired Brian Kelly.
Aranda is a head coach now, but he’s still considered one of the top defensive minds in the game.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU football to face former defensive coordinator in bowl game
