Bologna said:

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No, that's completely incorrect. This is absolutely Linda micromanaging the situation. Before a new AD is even hired she has stated that Aranda will be retained. She's not allowing the athletic staff to make this decision.

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I don't read it that way. It would be micromanaging by saying I am firing the football coach and the new AD is stuck with whoever I bring in, whether on an interim basis or not. It specifically states that the AD " must have the opportunity to assess the football program and chart its long-term direction". Concerning Aranda, all that is said is that he is being retained at this point. It becomes the new AD's call as to what happens when they take over...as it should as that is the job of the AD.

You may have an AD that comes in and on day 1 or 2 fires Aranda or decides to wait to have a more orderly process to find what that AD considers the best possible path going forward based on timing. But that AD is the position holder who has to weigh all options to find the best outcome with the least downside, especially long-term. To me, that is what the statement is saying....letting the AD do their job.

I don't have great info and I don't care to. But I have heard (outside of the internet or a random fan) that Morris strongly prefers Bu over Ok St.

If Uf or LSU didn't take him, Sumrall would also take the interview. Obviously prefers those two but does view the job better than almost anyone on this board and would be a decent shot at taking it if those Sec teams didn't.

No clue on the crazy internet talk about Lincoln Riley wanting to come back to the Tx area.

Quinton said:

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I don't have great info and I don't care to. But I have heard (outside of the internet or a random fan) that Morris strongly prefers Bu over Ok St.

If Uf or LSU didn't take him, Sumrall would also take the interview. Obviously prefers those two but does view the job better than almost anyone on this board and would be a decent shot at taking it if those Sec teams didn't.

No clue on the crazy internet talk about Lincoln Riley wanting to come back to the Tx area.

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Ole Miss will open up if Kiffen leaves. Sumrall will be a target there.

<Captain Obvious>

I think the fundamental problems with CDA and the fan base:
1. Our DEFENSE is an embarrassment; and he is supposed to be some kind of defensive genius
2. He's uninspiring and cannot excite the fanbase

I feel like the UNT three-for-one combo is just sitting there waiting for us. Even Linda could figure that out. (Per the podcast, Morris wants to come to Baylor)

</Captain Obvious>

Since the decision to keep Dave appears very financially oriented, what are the possibilities that a new AD is in place after the December date for Dave's buyout.
Could he make a change at HC prior to the 2026 season?

Baylorbears111 said:

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Quinton said:

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I don't have great info and I don't care to. But I have heard (outside of the internet or a random fan) that Morris strongly prefers Bu over Ok St.

If Uf or LSU didn't take him, Sumrall would also take the interview. Obviously prefers those two but does view the job better than almost anyone on this board and would be a decent shot at taking it if those Sec teams didn't.

No clue on the crazy internet talk about Lincoln Riley wanting to come back to the Tx area.

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Ole Miss will open up if Kiffen leaves. Sumrall will be a target there.

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Yep, it was implied any major sec job obviously leapfrogs. But it isn't viewed as some scrub position, even among decent names.

bear2be2 said:

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This is such a "**** you" to a fan base that has been hanging on by a thread for three-plus years now with this clown.

I have never in my life rooted for a Baylor team to fail, but I hope we go 2-10 next year and play every home game in front of 15,000 fans.

That's what this administration deserves. Everyone who said that our leadership doesn't actually care about winning was proven right today. And it cares even less about the fans who pay their hard-earned money and carve out weekends at a time to support this ****-ass program.

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That's exactly what's going to happen. LIvingstone has guided is into an era of irrelevance.

whitetrash said:

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BearlyConscious said:

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Most of the time when I see a public statement of support for a struggling head coach, I take it with a grain of salt, as we've all seen them get fired shortly afterwards. Unfortunately, I don't think that's the case here.

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We aren't the only ones choosing to stay the course one more year. Wisconsin previously announced they are keeping Fickell, even though they are currently 3-7 and, outside of scoring 42 against MTSU, have scored only 78 points total in their other 9 games.

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Right, that is if you're talking one year only. But we may be the only one staying the course since 2022. That's the definition of a loser.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/47012433/north-texas-eric-morris-drew-mestemaker-college-football-playoff-portal

Big ESPN expose

why is ESPN fluffing him? Headed to SEC school?

Bruisers Burner Phone said:

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The problems we had with the program following '21 were related to NIL and our inability or refusal to adapt to it. We pumped "player over program" and stuff like that thinking it would swing the needle. IT. DID. NOT.

Dave is an average coach and a poor talent evaluator. He should be fired, but the truth is that, unless our donors are willing to step up to a $15-18M NIL budget, next year is going to be terrible anyway, no matter who the coach is.

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BINGO!!!

Does the lack of professionalism of the leadership bother anyone else?

Yeah it sucks that football is in the toilet, but after the past decade or so…we know we can't trust them on anything. They're even more secretive now and they've completely avoided taking any responsibility.

Livingstone has created a culture of excuse.

Doc Holliday said:

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Does the lack of professionalism of the leadership bother anyone else?

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Yes, it does.


I think that is what led to the Briles problems. If a professional leadership was in place, Briles would have had bumpers to keep him in the right area. Briles is a "win, win, win" guy with a high risk profile. I think his comment on what are they doing with those guys, they are bad dudes sums it up. He needed strong guide rails, not a negative, just a fact for results oriented people. The unprofessional leadership disserved Briles AND Aranda. Maybe in different ways, but you are right.

By the way, in NO WAY a negative toward Briles. He is who he is and has been his whole career. It was on Baylor to tell him the limits. I believe he would have followed them, but his group was not the type to be left to their own designs. They would win, no matter what... Hope this isn't taken wrong way.

IowaBear said:

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Yeah that's what Dave needs more NIL funds to piss away. What's next years excuse going to be after his 3-9 season?

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Make Dave yearn to quit. No more lollipop questions - no more acceptance on his "what the **** did he just say" sort of responses. Grill the guy everywhere he goes.

Bearfan1998 said:

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Kinda sucks that the biggest reason this is happening is Mack was banging some teacher and got caught

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Who was the teacher???

Bigkahunaww said:

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Since the decision to keep Dave appears very financially oriented, what are the possibilities that a new AD is in place after the December date for Dave's buyout.
Could he make a change at HC prior to the 2026 season?

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Well, if it's financial then how about we cut the Board in half. Examine expenses by everyone in the administration. I am sure we could find $500-$1M in waste and abuse.

Doc Holliday said:

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Does the lack of professionalism of the leadership bother anyone else?

Yeah it sucks that football is in the toilet, but after the past decade or so…we know we can't trust them on anything. They're even more secretive now and they've completely avoided taking any responsibility.

Livingstone has created a culture of excuse.

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I really don't follow the academic side of Baylor. With all the criticism of Livingstone I did a little research. Her credentials are very weak for a University.

BluesBear said:

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Bearfan1998 said:

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Kinda sucks that the biggest reason this is happening is Mack was banging some teacher and got caught

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Who was the teacher???

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Damn.. you're really curious.

She used to be a teacher.. Now a principal.

Does anybody believe Linda made this decision? These decisions are made by the people who bankroll the coaches salaries. The BMDs made a reasoned decision that it's financially prohibitive to find and fund an AD and a new coaching staff. You take your time and get the right AD. You give him one season or less to evaluate Aranda. You tell Aranda to hire a top DC .

Thoughts and prayers to the fans who renew season tickets next year.

Bruisers Burner Phone said:

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We'll see. New powerful AD will want input on a new coach.

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I am sure Linda laying out this vision will be part of the interview process.

As much as I want to think it can happen… I just don't see a brand new AD coming in and being able to reverse the course she wants.

ursamajor said:

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We must not have the money.

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That was my first thought.

dstaylor57 said:

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Does anybody believe Linda made this decision? These decisions are made by the people who bankroll the coaches salaries. The BMDs made a reasoned decision that it's financially prohibitive to find and fund an AD and a new coaching staff. You take your time and get the right AD. You give him one season or less to evaluate Aranda. You tell Aranda to hire a top DC .

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Reading between the lines it sounds like they are going to fund the players better as well and saw that as a more wise expenditure on the program.

PartyBear said:

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dstaylor57 said:

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Does anybody believe Linda made this decision? These decisions are made by the people who bankroll the coaches salaries. The BMDs made a reasoned decision that it's financially prohibitive to find and fund an AD and a new coaching staff. You take your time and get the right AD. You give him one season or less to evaluate Aranda. You tell Aranda to hire a top DC .

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Reading between the lines it sounds like they are going to fund the players better as well and saw that as a more wise expenditure on the program.

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Perhaps they see Vandy and TTU having success just buying players. Maybe we don't need coaches and ADs anymore.

The part about keeping stability to retain the recruiting class feels like playing with scared money.

That factor isn't going to change waiting another year...it will still be a risk we have to take. Waiting another year isn't going to make that problem go away.

And by hanging on to a coach that will be a lame duck next year so we can save money is gonna cost us recruits anyway.

Are we really going to be able to hang on to the ones we already have and attract new ones in the future knowing he's just riding it out for one more year to save us some money?

So damn disappointing. Just feels like we are giving up on trying to be relevant or compete.

When the NFL started trashing its fans with pink uniforms, blm garbage, playing the so-called black national anthem, putting on halftime shows that were terrible I dropped the NFL and have never looked back. My Sundays are wide open to enjoy my life along with a few weekdays. Now I can finally enjoy watching college football games that actually matter and not waste time driving to Waco while risking my life driving on I-35. As a 1980 Baylor graduate I will remember the Briles years and the excitement the Baylor family finally got to enjoy. That was a great time to be a Baylor fan. I'm praying my grandkids go to a good university maybe in College Station.

dstaylor57 said:

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Does anybody believe Linda made this decision? These decisions are made by the people who bankroll the coaches salaries. The BMDs made a reasoned decision that it's financially prohibitive to find and fund an AD and a new coaching staff. You take your time and get the right AD. You give him one season or less to evaluate Aranda. You tell Aranda to hire a top DC .

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I wouldn't even trust Dave Aranda with Buddy Ryan as defensive coordinator. He needs to go.

hodedofome said:

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Thoughts and prayers to the fans who renew season tickets next year.

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Oh good. All we gotta do is pray for about 9 people.

I think like Wisconsin and maybe FSU come seasons end, we didn't have anyone wanting to pony up the money to buyout the whole staff and hire a new one.

We "parted ways" with the AD at a bad time. I'm not against the parting of ways but it makes it near impossible for a new AD to make an attractive offer to a football coach in the next month. "I moved to Waco two weeks ago. Your family will love it. I still don't know most of the people in the office but they all seem great. Don't have NIL worked out with the money people yet but I promise by the time you show up next week, we will have it figured out… hopefully, I think maybe. What's your staff budget? I'll have to circle the wagons and get back to you on that… if I can find the wagons."

Any rationale candidate is going to immediately think, "if Eric Morris says no and goes to Auburn and I have to make a last second hire that flames out in 2 years… do I get shown the exit with them?"

boognish_bear said:

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ursamajor said:

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We must not have the money.

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That was my first thought.

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I think the money is there; I just think the BMD's are just letting the contract run as long as possible to reduce monetary loss. ADMR forced their hand on him. BMD's had to swallow it, begrudgingly.

Linda lovingstone hates Baylor University. This is an abomination.

IowaBear said:

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She doesn't care about football. I've seen many on here make that claim. Never really put any stock in it. But actions speak louder than words. She just told the entire fanbase she gives zero ****s about the football program. I'm obviously not an alum so I can't even be mad at her. But it's easy to see why so many alums are slowly giving up on the program.

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I give credit to anyone that hung in there after the actions of 2016

Why do you even send out this letter? Especially before the new AD is hired.

PartyBear said:

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This is better than rushing it and ending up with Steele II. That had a much higher probability than landing Briles II. I suspect y'all's dream coach, and someone I had high interest in, the UNT guy is already under contract with OSU and it isn't announced yet.

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LOL.... Maybe Dave's not Steele yet. But given the number of starters we're losing, a team that's quit and the lack of accountability if we wait we may very well end up with Steele II.

It signals to me they are not going to make a quick hire and they expect the new AD will not be able to start until after this coaching change season is over.

chukronos said:

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Linda lovingstone hates Baylor University. This is an abomination.

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She loves cashing the checks though. I do wonder who she roots for when BU plays OSU.