Dave Aranda Firing Changes Texas Tech’s November Road Test

Texas Tech’s November trip to Baylor suddenly comes with a different scouting assignment.

Baylor fired head coach Dave Aranda on Sunday, Oct. 25, appointing defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

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For the Red Raiders, who visit Waco on Nov. 21, the move changes the leadership of an opponent sitting directly in their late-season championship path.

The Bears are 4-3 overall and 2-2 in Big 12 play after consecutive losses to TCU and Kansas. Saturday’s 25-24 defeat in Lawrence preceded the decision to dismiss Aranda.

“We believe a change in leadership is necessary at this time for our program,” Baylor athletic director Doug McNamee said in the university’s announcement.

Texas Tech has more immediate problems. Saturday’s 37-24 loss at Cincinnati dropped the Red Raiders to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play, reducing their margin for error in the Big 12 race.

The loss also provided a warning against treating any remaining road game as routine. Tech committed three turnovers and a season-high 12 penalties while falling behind 24-6 at halftime.

Baylor’s coaching change offers no guarantee that Waco becomes an easier stop.

By November, Klanderman will have several weeks to establish his approach. Texas Tech must evaluate whether Baylor changes its personnel usage, defensive tendencies or game management.

Film from the Bears’ remaining games will become more useful than assumptions about how an interim-led team should perform.

There is a personal connection, too. Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire worked at Baylor from 2017-21, including under Aranda, before taking over in Lubbock.

His familiarity with the program supplies context, although the current matchup will require fresh preparation.

The scheduling concern is substantial. Baylor follows a Nov. 14 trip to Oklahoma State and precedes the Thanksgiving home finale against TCU on Nov. 26.

That leaves Tech facing consecutive road games before a short turnaround.

A coaching transition could create opportunities for the Red Raiders, particularly if Baylor struggles with consistency. It could also produce an energized opponent eager to finish strongly.

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Tech’s task is to control what travels: ball security, discipline and offensive execution.

Aranda’s dismissal changes the circumstances in Waco. Texas Tech still has to earn the result.