The 2023 season is mercifully over after another grueling heartbreak on Senior Day, with McLane Stadium serving as a barren backdrop. Despite the 3-9 finish, Dave Aranda is officially returning for year five, and other changes are already underway at both coordinator spots.
Here's a look at The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly from the final week of the regular season and a monstrous 34-31 letdown against the Mountaineers, followed by the start of the offseason shakeup.
THE GOOD
A New Direction: Regardless of where opinions lie on the actual changes, we now know the direction forward. So far, that will include a new DC, new OC, and TE coach with the dismissal of Jeff Grimes and the repositioning of Matt Powledge. But the Bears will not have a new head coach, with Dave Aranda confirmed back for a fifth season. Some of his staff changes may come from within, like Aranda occupying the bulk of the DC role. But that's where we stand less than two days into the offseason. And there's still plenty up in the air. Now, all eyes are on the OC search, roster maintenance, and building.
Now or Never: With yet another staff shuffling, we know if things don't change in the 2024 season, there will be a new head coach, or the people will riot. Dave Aranda is entering the ultimate hot seat year, and many are already unhappy. But it is what it is, and Aranda is getting one final opportunity to prove this is the right fit for all involved.
Richard Reese: What an incredible performance by the true sophomore from Bellville, with back-to-back 90+ yard kickoff return touchdowns. It's been a tough season from an opportunity and production standpoint, but Reese made the most of his opportunities on Saturday and produced at a star level. NIL offers will likely come, but hopefully, the next iteration of this offense will have a place for his talents to be featured more prominently. But whatever the future holds, Reese made his mark last season and certainly made a historic mark on Saturday.
Sawyer Robertson: He played a sharp game and gave the team a nice change of pace. There weren't huge expectations, but he provided some bright spots and was able to show off his athleticism. Thanks to a new OC and potential roster decisions, Robertson will be right at the center of storylines this offseason.
Ketron Jackson: It took 12 games, but the Royse City native notched his first touchdown as a Bear. Whatever direction the new OC takes, that must change significantly next season. Of course, that's also on Jackson's shoulders. He had an excellent final night, and we know there was more meat left on the bone this year. He should be helping lead the way for this WR corp next season. The 88 yards were also his second-highest total this year, behind his 130 yards against Cincinnati.
Dominic Richardson: Again, it took 12 games, but the first-year transfer finally found the endzone rushing the ball, as his 2-yard run gave Baylor its first lead late in the third quarter. Last week, he scored his TD as a Bear on a 10-yard pass.
THE BAD
Jeff Grimes: I fully believe the offense needed a shakeup, but you still hate to see things not work out. In the end, Grimes contributed plenty in the historic 2021 season, and that won't be forgotten anytime soon. He'll surely land on his feet.
DC Position: Matt Powledge needs a bit more seasoning, so Aranda will turn to the man in the mirror to ensure that side of the ball returns to form. His job depends on it at this point. The defense was a shell of itself this season. There's a lot of work to be done, but Aranda isn't starting from scratch, and as the number of snaps by young players gets touted as a reason for no change at the top, that can't be a fallback again next season.
All Three Phases:
The offense only scored 17 points.
Special teams missed six points on field goals.
The defense overcame a horrid first half only to surrender a game-losing TD drive, making it look effortless.
Saturday wasn't the first time the Bears beat themselves or got beat in all three areas, but it will be the last in 2023.
Aranda's Reaction: There are a lot of mixed but passionate opinions about the decision to retain Aranda for year five. I know that there can't possibly be a year six without substantial and notable improvement next season; no excuses, none. And yeah, that doesn't soothe the feelings of those who have wanted him gone for some time. A big turnaround will take some mercenary moves and some magic. How does the department sell this moving forward and drum up interest for next year?
THE UGLY
The Loss: Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in. There were no real reasons other than blind faith to believe the Bears would turn the finale into a potential best win of the season. In many ways, a simple tail-kicking — which seemed to be en route early — would have been a better way to end the season. But then Richard Reese ran back two kicks, and suddenly there was belief. Sure enough, that led them to take a lead, maintaining it, and just needing to hold on for less than two minutes. And we know how that turned out. It was a miserable loss on top of a pile of miserable losses of all shapes and sizes. It was a fitting ending in that way, but sad all the same — a real heartbreaker.
Five Straight: The Bears lost five consecutive games to finish 2023, losing a bowl opportunity. There are bumps in the road, and then there's hitting five of them in a row. Especially when it ends in such excruciating fashion like Saturday night. The last two season finales have left the program and fanbase reeling in negativity heading into the offseason.
Home Record: The 1-7 mark needs no explanation. Next year, the Bears could see that trend continue if you've looked at the 2024 six-game home slate. The lack of home success ranks near the top of the biggest disappointments and missed opportunities this year. The Bears' home-field advantage is nonexistent at this point.
Bottom of the Big 12: The Bears finished above only Cincinnati in the conference standings, thanks to their head-to-head. Next year, Oklahoma and Texas will leave, clearing some room, but let's be honest, four new schools join the fray from the Pac, and both Utah and Arizona are better if the Wildcats retain Jedd Fisch through the carousel. Colorado will be in better shape, too, and Arizona State remains to be seen. The bottom is actually lower moving forward.
