A new DC, a new fan experience and a new QB? Baylor barrelling towards 2026 

By Craig Smoak | 365 Sports

Baylor Football is wasting little time on and off the field to reverse its fortunes in 2026, with changes at athletic director and defensive coordinator, while notable, only the beginning of the work. Simultaneously, the roster is in flux going both directions, the schedule just received a non-con tweak, and anything else not nailed down contractually seems up for debate and potential change moving forward. 

The hope is changes in leadership and personnel will result in a change of fortune as we enter one of the most crucial offseasons in Baylor athletics history at one of the most pivotal times in college sports history. Hyperbole? Absolutely not. 

Before I personally hit hibernation over Christmas and New Year’s, here’s what’s on my mind as the ball gets rolling towards 2026. 

DC JOE KLANDERMAN 

I watched new DC Joe Klanderman’s press conference on Monday, and, surprise, came away impressed. And best believe, over the years I have walked away from more than one press conference unimpressed by a new hire.

But Klanderman was truly a treat to listen to and, at least for me, seemed to immediately inject some sorely needed belief and infectious positivity into the program, particularly for his side of the ball. 

It can’t possibly hurt the defense to get a fresh set of eyes and ears, as well as planning and coaching. I liked what I heard and look forward to hearing more. 

Despite a longterm association with Chris Klieman, he reportedly was a strong candidate to remain a rare holdover on Colin Klein’s new staff at K-State before deciding to take the Baylor job straight up. Like the Bears’ defense, he apparently wanted a fresh start. That’s a nice common starting point for this hopefully mutually beneficial relationship. 

WANTED: FAN FEEDBACK?

A survey from Baylor Athletics landed in my inbox, and probably yours, this week. Perhaps it’s just my bad memory, but I don’t recall receiving anything like this before. Enclosed is a thorough questionnaire on the Baylor Football game-day experience, covering every aspect from parking to tailgating to in-game entertainment, the works. 

I’d imagine this is some early research work from the now Doug McNamee-led department, and one thing is for sure. They left no stone unturned in seeking feedback on every notable topic, which I appreciate greatly as someone who understands fan frustrations and the importance of nailing the fan experience, particularly when the on-field isn’t inspiring. There was a great tailgate scene years ago that coincided with some great football and incredible atmospheres and hopefully they can find that magic formula again. This early outreach and its level of detail is a great first step, in my opinion. 

DJ LAGWAY 

The Baylor Football legacy is officially in the portal, and now one of the bigger names in this year’s batch of high-profile QB transfers. Given his familial ties, prior recruitment experience, and hometown proximity, there are numerous reasons why Baylor is a logical, if not likely, landing spot. 

There is nothing guaranteed returning in the team’s QB room post-Sawyer Robertson, so unless one of these younger guys, like Nate Bennett, Walker White or Edward Griffin, is cooking up something top-secret behind the scenes, the Bears could obviously use some experienced options and a guy like Lagway to come in and command the starting job.

Lagway, also entered the portal for a reason and will be well-served to clear last season and get a fresh start with some new coaching. Why not somewhere comfortable and close to home? 

At minimum, it would constitute an offseason splash and immediately create a ripple in the conversation about next year’s team. 

IN: LA TECH, OUT: SMU 

With the ACC’s move to nine conference games — about time — there’s some give and take. For Baylor, that means losing SMU as a home non-con opponent in 2026, but anticipating that, the Bears were able to pivot quickly and fill the vacancy with a home meeting against Louisiana Tech, as announced this week. 

Losing another SMU game isn’t the end of the world, but in this day and age, I do appreciate and will take whatever regionalism and little pieces of meaning and history I can get. So from that standpoint, it’s a bummer and the loss of a far more exciting game than the Bulldogs. At least it sounds as though the dialogue is open to finish the series at a later date. And thankfully, the now-neutral-site Auburn game remains intact to give the non-con some oomph, regardless.