5 Head Coach Candidates for Baylor

Despite the split, Waco remains an extremely attractive landing spot. Baylor boasts elite, state-of-the-art facilities, anchored by McLane Stadium, and robust NIL backing. Nestled in prime Texas recruiting territory within a wide-open, reshuffled Big 12, the opening offers an ideal platform for an ambitious head coach to win immediately.

Jeff Traylor

Head Coach, UTSA

Traylor stands out as a seamless fit to reinvigorate Baylor football, possessing deep Texas roots and an unmatched reputation across the state’s prep gridiron. An East Texas native, Traylor spent 15 legendary seasons as head coach at Gilmer High School, winning three state championships. His legendary status within the Texas High School Coaches Association gives him instant, unmatched credibility and direct access to the state’s most elite high school recruits and high school coaching pipelines.

Since taking over at UTSA, Traylor has proven his transition to the college ranks is built on real substance, guiding the Roadrunners to back-to-back Conference USA titles, multiple 10-win seasons, and national top-25 rankings. His proven “210 Triangle of Toughness” culture, dynamic offense, and deep-seated Texas connections make him uniquely equipped to instantly unite the fanbase, maximize local talent, and restore elite competitiveness in Waco.

Brian Newberry

Head Coach, Navy

Navy head coach Brian Newberry emerges as a compelling dark-horse target for Baylor, offering a seamless cultural fit and deep ties to the program as a former Bears defensive back. A key architect behind Navy’s recent program renaissance, including back-to-back double-digit win campaigns and bowl victories, Newberry has established himself as one of the most disciplined and effective program leaders in the Group of Five.

Crucially, because Newberry’s background is rooted entirely on the defensive side of the ball, hiring him avoids any apprehensions regarding traditional service academy option schemes. His modern, high-pressure 3-4 and 4-2-5 defensive systems are designed to disrupt high-powered Big Ten and Big 12 style offenses. Combining his alma mater pride, proven head coaching record, and elite defensive mind, Newberry presents Baylor with a high-floor candidate ready to rebuild stability in Waco.

Jason Eck

Head Coach, New Mexico

Eck has rapidly emerged as one of college football’s premier program builders, making him an intriguing target for power-conference vacancies. After orchestrating a dramatic turnaround at Idaho, Eck hit the ground running at New Mexico. In his 2025 debut season in Albuquerque, he guided the Lobos to a 9–4 record, earning Mountain West Coach of the Year honors while leading the program to its first bowl appearance in nearly a decade.

Eck’s background as a former Wisconsin offensive lineman and championship-caliber offensive coordinator at South Dakota State translates into high-powered, physical schemes that maximize offensive line production and play-action efficiency. His proven track record of revitalizing dormant programs, developing NFL-caliber talent, and winning immediately in tough environments makes him a compelling, high-upside candidate for Power Four programs seeking an innovative head coach.

Dan Mullen

Head Coach, UNLV

Mullen has seamlessly transitioned his high-level SEC pedigree to the Mountain West, successfully revitalizing the UNLV program after taking over in late 2024. Bringing a wealth of elite experience from his prominent stints as head coach at Mississippi State (2009–2017) and Florida (2018–2021), where he compiled 113 career wins and three New Year’s Six bowl appearances, Mullen immediately kept the Rebels rolling, guiding them to a 10–4 campaign and the Mountain West title game in his debut season. Known for his exceptional quarterback development and innovative offensive scheming, Mullen has injected instant national relevance into Las Vegas. Despite past friction toward the end of his tenure in Gainesville, his proven track record of maximizing roster talent has positioned UNLV as a legitimate playoff contender in the expanded landscape. 

G.J. Kinne

Head Coach, Texas State

Kinne remains an intriguing name for Power Four searches, largely because his deep Texas roots carry substantial weight in coaching circles, often carrying more influence than they probably should. A former Mesquite High standout and Texas Longhorns quarterback before finishing at Tulsa, Kinne’s intimate knowledge of Lone Star State high school recruiting makes him an attractive option for decision-makers seeking immediate regional access and cultural alignment.

However, Kinne’s head coaching profile carries notable performance red flags. Despite massive initial hype, he never quite lived up to expectations in the Sun Belt, failing to claim a division title or reach the conference championship game. Moving into Texas State’s inaugural Pac-12 slate, his Bobcats have looked decidedly average, sitting at 4–3 while lacking consistent execution against top-tier competition. While his offensive ingenuity and Texas lineage keep him in candidate pools, his inability to turn mid-major momentum into dominant conference title runs gives power-conference athletic directors real pause.