░B░R░E░A░K░I░N░G ░B░R░E░A░ 🅱🆁🅴🅰🅺 SHOCKING NEWS: Baylor Bears Head Coach Dave Aranda Officially Files for Divorce from Wife Dione…

In a stunning personal development for one of college football’s most scrutinized figures, Baylor University head football coach Dave Aranda has filed for divorce from his wife of nearly two decades, Dione Aranda. Court documents obtained by *The Waco Tribune-Herald* confirm that the 49-year-old coach submitted the petition in McLennan County District Court on Wednesday, citing irreconcilable differences. The filing comes just weeks after Baylor announced it would retain Aranda for the 2026 season amid turmoil in the athletic department, adding yet another layer of complexity to a season already defined by professional and institutional upheaval.

Aranda, who has led the Bears since 2020, and Dione, a former University of Wisconsin cheerleader whom he met during his time as a graduate assistant there in the late 1990s, were long seen as the picture of stability in the high-pressure world of college coaching. The couple, married since 2001, share three children: daughters Jaelyn and Jordyn, and son Ronin. In past interviews, Aranda has openly credited Dione as the bedrock of his family and career, once telling reporters, “I was the linebacker, and she was the cheerleader. I wouldn’t be here without her.” Dione has been a fixture at Baylor games, often spotted in the stands supporting her husband’s program, and has been described by those close to the family as the “core strength” behind Aranda’s rise from defensive coordinator roles at schools like LSU and Wisconsin to Big 12 champion head coach.

The reasons for the split remain private, with neither party issuing public statements as of press time. Sources close to the family, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggest the decision stems from the cumulative strain of Aranda’s demanding career, including the relentless scrutiny following Baylor’s 2021 Big 12 title run—a 12-2 season capped by a Sugar Bowl victory over Ole Miss. Since that pinnacle, the Bears have posted a middling 22-28 record over four seasons, with the 2025 campaign ending at 5-5 amid defensive woes that ranked 119th nationally in points allowed (31.9 per game). Fans and media alike have piled on, with op-eds labeling a potential parting with Aranda as an “inevitable divorce” from the program.

This personal news arrives on the heels of significant professional turbulence at Baylor. Just last month, on November 20, athletic director Mack Rhoades abruptly departed the university following an internal investigation into his conduct, including a heated sideline altercation with a player during a game against Cincinnati. Rhoades’ exit, framed as a mutual separation for “personal reasons,” left President Linda Livingstone to make the high-stakes call on Aranda’s future. On November 21, she announced the coach’s retention through 2026, emphasizing stability for the roster and recruiting class during the transition. “We recognize this decision will generate strong opinions,” Livingstone wrote in a letter to supporters. “Baylor expects excellence, accountability, and competitiveness at the highest level.”

The move drew sharp backlash from Bears faithful, who flooded social media with memes and calls for change, pointing to Aranda’s overall 36-35 record and a defense that has devolved from his hallmark strength. Reddit threads on r/CFB echoed the frustration, with one top comment lamenting, “I feel bad for the average Baylor fan that’s just tired of the middling football program.” Despite the offense’s promise—led by national passing yards leader Sawyer Robertson, who averaged 321 yards per game—defensive lapses have fueled speculation about Aranda’s job security. His contract, extended in 2022, runs through 2029, but the incoming athletic director will have the chance to reassess the program’s direction.

For Aranda, a devout Christian known for his grounded demeanor, the divorce filing marks a rare glimpse into vulnerability. Colleagues describe him as a “learner and listener,” qualities Livingstone highlighted in her decision to keep him. Yet, as one source put it, “Coaching at this level tests everything—your strategies, your faith, your family. Dave’s always preached resilience on the field; now he’s living it off.”

As Baylor navigates its search for a new AD and prepares for a pivotal 2026 offseason, the Arandas’ divorce proceedings could unfold quietly or become another flashpoint in Waco’s football narrative. Custody arrangements and asset division details are not yet public, but the filing requests a no-fault dissolution, suggesting an amicable path forward for co-parenting their children.

Baylor fans, already divided on Aranda’s tenure, will watch closely. For now, the coach—who turns 49 next month—faces the dual challenge of mending a personal life while rebuilding a program desperate for another championship glow. In a statement to *The Tribune-Herald*, a Baylor spokesperson said, “We respect Coach Aranda’s privacy during this time and continue to support him and his family as he leads our football program.”