By Cannon Fritz | Reporter
Baylor is entering a new era after head coach Dave Aranda’s departure, and students have already begun speculating about what interim head coach Joe Klanderman could bring to the program for the rest of the season.
Klanderman, who has served as Baylor’s defensive coordinator, inherits a team that looks to get back on track after a tumultuous season. Although students had different opinions about the coaching change, they saw it as a chance to lead the team through this period until the university makes its long-term decision.
Waianae, Hawaii, senior Boston Opetaia said that the coaching change was inevitable if the team wanted to move on from Aranda’s .500 record to the future.
“I think he’s great, but 40 and 40 [record], I think it’s time for a change at that head coach position,” Opetaia said of Aranda’s departure.
Waltham, Massachusetts, junior Michael Thekaekara did not find Klanderman’s appointment surprising due to Baylor’s successful defense.
“It was expected that Joe Klanderman would be the new interim head coach,” Thekaekara said. “That’s been the best part of the Baylor team: the defense. Because the defense is performing the best, that’s usually who you give the interim job to.”
The Bears’ defense has held opponents to 16.1 points per game and did not allow 20 or more points in six of their seven games this season.
Even though Baylor may start a national search after the season is finished, Klanderman has a chance to show that he deserves to be considered a candidate for the permanent job.
“He’s done some great things,” Thekaekara said. He’s a winner, and if he follows through with what he said about being a culture and energy shifter, this could really be something for the Baylor team.”
Thekaekara said one of the biggest areas Klanderman can impact is the team’s energy and culture.
“I don’t think the issue was really the ideas or the concepts,” he said. “It was more the energy was not there. If we really have that energy shift, it’s less of a defense issue and more about changing the mentality around the program.”
Thekaekara said he hopes Klanderman can inspire players to embrace a greater sense of accountability and purpose for the remainder of the season.
“I think players need to want to play for something bigger than themselves and take ownership of this team,” Thekaekara said. “If he instills that, like he said he would, then I think this Baylor team has a chance to be something special.”
Copperas Cove junior Mason Jobe views Klanderman as a short-term solution rather than Baylor’s next permanent coach. Jobe is still hopeful the leadership change can provide a spark for a team that has struggled to meet expectations this season.
“When I first saw it, I was a little excited,” Jobe said. “I had high hopes this year, but it really hasn’t been working out. So, maybe a new coach will be able to take the team in a new direction.”
Despite his support for Klanderman’s interim role, Windsor, California, junior Kienan McAlister still prefers Baylor conduct a national search before selecting its next permanent head coach. He supports the coaching structure Baylor has showcased this season.
“I would prefer to find an outside person,” he said. “I think my philosophy is having that designated offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator and a head coach worked really well.”
McAlister added that Baylor’s next leader should be someone capable of overseeing the entire program while allowing coordinators to focus on their specific responsibilities.
While Klanderman has said he does not plan to campaign for the permanent job, it remains debatable whether Klanderman will be able to make himself into the candidate for the permanent position in the future, there is consensus among students that his primary task will be to ensure stability and to finish the season positively.
Baylor’s next game is against UCF at 6:30 pm Friday at the Acrisure Bounce House in Orlando, Florida.
