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Oregon Football: 3 head coaching candidates who’d lead Ducks to national title

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 18, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda looks on during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda looks on during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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WACO, TX -NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Dave Aranda of the Baylor Bears looks on during a game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half at McLane Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
WACO, TX -NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Dave Aranda of the Baylor Bears looks on during a game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half at McLane Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

2. Dave Aranda

Dave Aranda is just 45 years old and he’s now coaching at his 10th school and if he were to leave for Oregon, a reputation would start to develop about him not being able to stay in one place for long enough to build a program.

But honestly, he’s only been a head coach for two seasons, and sometimes head coaches rise so quickly that they could capitalize on the momentum right away for a dream job scenario.

I’m not saying Oregon is Aranda’s dream job, but it’s more of a national power with more resources than Baylor and if the right contract is thrown his way, he’d have a tough time turning it down. He’s in line to get paid with a huge extension by Baylor or a new contract from Oregon. Phil Knight wants this program to win a national title so he may throw a blank check at him.

Aranda is a splashy hire and multiple programs have had him on their wish lists this year after moving on from a previous coach, and there’s a good reason for that. He went just 2-7 in a COVID-19-impacted first season with Baylor and immediately flipped the Bears around and he’s 11-2 in 2021 after winning the Big 12 title and earning a berth in the Sugar Bowl against Ole Miss.

If Aranda can win the Big 12 in his first full season with Baylor after it was in a bad place post-Matt Rhule, just imagine what he could do with an Oregon team that’s loaded with talent and is a recruiting hotspot.

I truly believe Aranda can win a national title wherever he goes and Oregon fans should hope he winds up in Eugene.

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