Robert Griffin III Expresses Strong Interest in Baylor Head Coaching Position
The former Heisman winner and NFL quarterback stated he would '100%' accept the vacant coaching role at his alma mater.
Robert Griffin III has publicly declared his strong interest in returning to Baylor University as the head football coach, stating he would "100%" accept the position if offered. The former Heisman Trophy winner expressed this sentiment during an appearance on the "Dan Patrick Show."
Griffin, who led Baylor to a 10-3 record and an Alamo Bowl victory in his 2011 Heisman-winning season, believes he possesses the necessary understanding of the university and its football program to lead it back to success. "If Baylor wants to get back to winning and have a university that isn’t just respectable on the football field, but one the fans can be proud of, they need people who know what it looks like to win at Baylor," Griffin said.
He also revealed that he has already spoken with Baylor's Athletic Director, Doug McNamee, whom Griffin described as someone who "knows what it looks like to win at Baylor, know how you have to win at Baylor and recruit to Baylor to make those things happen."
The coaching vacancy at Baylor arose after the university parted ways with head coach Dave Aranda during the 2024 season. Aranda's tenure, which began in 2020, saw a promising 12-2 record in 2021, but the team struggled in subsequent years, finishing the current season with a 4-3 record after consecutive losses to TCU and Kansas. Defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Despite his decorated playing career at Baylor and his subsequent media roles with ESPN and FOX, Griffin has no prior coaching experience at any level. The university's athletic department is expected to conduct an extensive search for Aranda's successor, and it remains to be seen if Griffin will be a serious candidate.
Griffin, the only Heisman winner in Baylor history, played four seasons with the Bears, compiling a 25-21 overall record before being selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. After his NFL career concluded in 2020, Griffin transitioned into broadcasting.