Heisman Winner Robert Griffin III Endorses Joe Klanderman For Baylor's Next Head Coach
In this story:
Dave Aranda was fired after the 25-24 loss to Kansas. Soon after, Joe Klanderman was named interim head coach of the Bears. Ever since then, the question of "who Baylor will hire for their next permanent head coach?" has been a topic of discussion. Robert Griffin III doesn't seem to think the decision is all that hard though. Especially after wins against UCF and Iowa State.
RG3 Has Offered Himself as a Candidate to Become Baylor's HC
If Baylor wins out, Interim Head Coach Joe Klanderman should be the new Head Coach.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) November 11, 2026
Via @OuttaPocketRG3 pic.twitter.com/T9VtS3G5Gv
RG3 has been vocal about wanting the Baylor position, even going so far as to contact Baylor A.D. Doug McNamee and offer as such. Whether Griffin has the experience required for such an undertaking is up for some debate as he's never coached at anywhere near this high of a level. A fantastic player and Heisman winner for the Bears back in 2011, and eight seasons of experience playing for several teams during his career in the NFL, you can't knock Griffin for offering his services to his alma mater.
How Baylor Ends the Season Matters
#Baylor will head to Provo for its biggest game yet. Here are three keys to beating BYU.
— Baylor Bears On SI (@BaylorBearsOnSI) November 11, 2026
STORY:https://t.co/xU44tZQNW2 pic.twitter.com/TYnWz8iJYi
Joe Klanderman, in his first Media Availability as interim head coach back in October, mentioned that he would love the opportunity to be Baylor's next permanent head coach, but also that he was not going to try and actively politic to try and get it. Baylor, however, ends the season against three currently CFP ranked top 15 opponents; an excellent opportunity to showcase and build a resume if there ever was one.
Each of Baylor's Upcoming Opponents has Big 12 Title and CFP Hopes
#Baylor is 6-3 and the Bears have a path to the Big 12 title game. Games against BYU, Texas Tech, and Houston will test Baylor's mettle — but they aren't as scary as they once were.
— Baylor Bears On SI (@BaylorBearsOnSI) November 8, 2026
COLUMN:https://t.co/O0FdK8ZPxG pic.twitter.com/eRD3RIj1i7
CFP No. 10 BYU this upcoming week on the road, back home to Waco to take on No. 12 Texas Tech, and on the road again to battle No. 14 Houston to end the regular season. None of those teams can afford a loss against Baylor if they want to make the playoffs, but for Baylor to have their own chance at making the playoffs, they have no other option than to play spoiler for each of them.
Griffin shared a clip on his social media (also included in this article) of him stating quite plainly and matter-of-factly, "If Baylor wins out the rest of the season, Joe Klanderman should be the head coach." While Baylor's win total for the next three games is entirely speculative, Griffin has a very valid point. There's no reason that Joe Klanderman shouldn't be almost a shoo-in to be the Bears head coach if he finishes the final five regular season games at 5-0 after Aranda's firing.
Joe Klanderman Knows Defense.
"The defense is currently 2nd in the country in total sacks 37 sacks, and 3rd in the country with 80 tackles for loss" Griffin would point out. Both of those numbers surpass the Bears in 2025 (without Joe Klanderman as the DC) by substantial margins; for example, the Bears only had 12 sacks total in the entire 2025 season and 48 TFLs. Nearly doubling the season total of TFLs and more than tripling the sack total, and starting the season's first 8 games not allowing more than 25 points to the opposing offense, Joe Klanderman's contributions to Baylor can not be understated.
Sign up for our Free Newsletter and follow us on X and Facebook for the latest news.
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Brad is a writer and contributes to the Baylor Bears on SI, with aspirations to share his own unique thoughts and perspectives with fans. Whether through the facts and figures of the past or the untold potential and triumphs of the future, sports have always been a large influence on Brad's storytelling and life overall. His inspiration to write began while watching sports when he first noticed the highs and lows of each game, each quarter, each play; there's a story in each of them worth telling, and he wanted to tell them.
Follow TheBradTeague