Baylor has made it official: Dave Aranda is the team’s new head coach.

“Today is an exciting day for Baylor,” Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mack B. Rhoades said in the announcement. “Dave is a special person who loves football and his student-athletes, is highly intellectual, and is a great mission fit for both Baylor Athletics and the University at large. Along with demonstrated success on the field, Dave shares in our vision of Preparing Champions for Life and our collective commitment to live by One Standard and in One Accord. We look forward to him carrying those values forward as the next leader of our football program. Join me in welcoming Dave, Dione, Jaelyn, Jordyn and Ronin to Waco.”

Aranda leaves after spending four seasons at LSU. He originally joined Les Miles’ Tigers staff in 2016.

“I’m excited to get started as a Baylor Bear,” Aranda said. “From the outside looking in, I was so impressed watching Baylor play. Seeing the unity of the team and the togetherness of their play really illustrated a strong culture. After meeting Mack Rhoades, talking with President Livingstone and seeing Baylor’s alignment from top down you can see why they have been so successful. I’m ready to touch down in Waco and get to work.”

Aranda replaces former Baylor coach Matt Rhule, who was hired by the Carolina Panthers earlier this month, following Baylor’s Sugar Bowl loss to Georgia.

For LSU, this will be head coach Ed Orgeron’s first time hiring a Tigers defensive coordinator after he successfully convinced Aranda to stay on staff following Miles’ firing and Orgeron becoming head coach.