Multiple Baylor Assistants Named to Minority & Rising Stars Watch List
The Baylor Bears have become one of the best rising programs in college football since Dave Aranda took over as head coach in 2020.
This statement seems almost impossible to make, considering the Bears were an abysmal 2-7 during Aranda's first season. But thanks to the coach's efforts of putting together a talented staff and roster, Baylor went from two wins to Big 12 and Sugar Bowl champs this past season.
And on Friday, FootballScoop.com recognized multiple Baylor assistant coaches on the 2022 Minority Watch List/Rising Stars.
Dave Aranda
Dallas Baker (right)
Dave Aranda
Receivers coach Dallas Baker, cornerbacks coach Kevin Curtis, special teams analyst Aman Anand, and outside linebackers coach Caleb Collins all made their way onto the list.
Here's what the release had to say about Anand, who joined the team with Aranda in 2020 following time with Penn State, Memphis, Utah State, and Northern Arizona:
Nominated by his Safeties Coach and Special teams coordinator, strong endorsement from multiple other coaches. Research showed Anand is widely seen as a rising member of the profession.
Collins joined in 2020 as well. He won a National Championship as a defensive assistant alongside Aranda at LSU, who was the defensive coordinator for the Tigers at the time.
He played linebacker at Southeastern Louisiana from 2012-16 under current Baylor defensive coordinator Ron Roberts.
Baylor Bears
Baylor Bears
Baylor Bears
Out of the four Baylor nominees to make the list, Baker is the most recent addition to the coaching staff after joining in February. Prior to Baylor, he spent time as a receivers coach at Buffalo and Marshall.
Baker was a standout All-SEC selection at receiver for the Tim Tebow-led Florida Gators in 2007, as he helped lead the team to a BCS National Title.
This championship success followed him to the NFL, where he won a Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009.
Curtis, who played safety at Texas Tech when Aranda was a member of the Red Raider coaching staff in 2000 and 2001, joined the Baylor staff in 2021 after stints as the cornerbacks coach at Louisiana Tech and SMU.
He returned to Texas Tech to coach defensive backs from 2013-15.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @szzevenn
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