Robert Griffin III Says He’s Spoken With Baylor About Coaching Job

Baylor football joined the coaching carousel last Sunday, firing coach Dave Aranda in his seventh season. As Baylor begins the search for a new coach, program legend Robert Griffin III has expressed interest in the opening. 

Griffin, the school’s only Heisman Trophy winner in 2011 and eight-year NFL quarterback, says he’s spoken with the school and is hopeful for more conversations down the line. 

“If I was making all the decisions, the decision would have already been made, right?” Griffin told Front Office Sports Tonight. “But that’s not the process, and I’m looking forward to going through that process with Baylor University to have real, concrete conversations. 

“I’ve had some conversations. I’ll keep those private at this point, out of respect for the coaches who are currently coaching the team and the true head coaching carousel or process of making that happen.” 

One knock on Griffin’s potential candidacy is that he doesn’t have prior coaching experience at the collegiate or professional level. The pipeline from zero prior experience to head coach is rare. Colorado coach Deion Sanders was hired by FCS program Jackson State in 2020 without collegiate experience, though he was an experienced high school coach. 

Other current FCS coaches who were hired without prior college or professional coaching experience include former NFL players DeSean Jackson (Delaware State) and Michael Vick (Norfolk State) and Weber State coach Eric Kjar, a seven-time high school state champion in Utah before being hired by Weber State last December. Right now, there are zero FBS coaches who were hired without collegiate or professional experience. 

However, Griffin points to the changing landscape of the sport, noting that prior coaching experience shouldn’t be a disqualifier, and previous experience doesn’t guarantee success. 

“The coaching in college is no longer about who calls plays,” Griffin said. “It’s about being a CEO and being able to manage not only the pressure, but also building a culture of winning. And to me, at Baylor University, that can only happen if somebody with somebody who knows what it looks like to win at Baylor.

“Having coaching experience does not determine whether or not you are successful in college anymore. They asked for somebody that has Texas roots. Check. Someone that can recruit those Texas roots. Check. Somebody that can help further their Christian mission at Baylor University. Check.” 

Baylor compiled a 40-40 record under Aranda, who was hired in 2020, with just one bowl win over that time. There are signs of competitive investment. In 2025, Baylor spent $144.1 million, which ranked sixth in the conference. In 2024, the program completed two separate eight-figure projects: renovations to McLane Stadium and the Fudge Football Development Center. 

Griffin, who has a statue honoring him outside Baylor’s McLane Stadium, stated that he will continue to support Baylor regardless of the result of the sport, but feels he has the necessary traits and enough support to turn his alma mater around. 

“I believe I know what that looks like,” Griffin said. I think I have the people in my corner that know what it looks like, and we’ll see what the decision is made over time. But regardless, I will always be there to support my alma mater, and to support them in the ways that they need to go out and have sustained, sustained success, not just, you know, one year here or one year there.”