LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda expected to become next Baylor head coach, reports say

To get to the next level, Baylor may be on the verge of hiring a football coach who was part of a national title this week.

LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, who The Dallas Morning News' Chuck Carlton reported had emerged as the leading candidate to replace Matt Rhule, is expected to become the Bears' next head coach, according to multiple reports.

Aranda, 43 and the nation's highest paid assistant coach at $2.5 million, has been at LSU since 2016. Although LSU's defense struggled at times during the regular season, the unit was strong late in the season and in the playoffs.

In December, Aranda's name had been mentioned as a possible candidate at UNLV. Baylor would be a much, much better job, in a power conference and coming off an 11-3 season that included a berth in the Sugar Bowl.

Aranda had acknowledged his interest in being a head coach to reporters at the Peach Bowl.

"Any time you are presented with an opportunity," Aranda said, "I think you, for you and your family, want to look into it."

Earlier Thursday morning, with a couple of words on Twitter, Justin Fuente signaled he was not going to be the new coach at Baylor.

The Virginia Tech coach tweeted "2020 � Let's go!" with a picture of his football staff in a conference room, some wearing Virginia Tech colors. A Virginia Tech football spokesman confirmed Thursday that Fuente is indeed staying.

Fuente had emerged as one of the top candidates to replace Matt Rhule, who exited early last week to become the coach of the NFL's Carolina Panthers.

Baylor's list seemed to narrow again when Louisiana confirmed a report from The Athletic's Bruce Feldman that head coach Billy Napier would remain in Lafayette.

"Louisiana Athletics is thrilled that Coach Napier and his staff have begun preparations for the 2020 season," the school said in a statement, "and we're looking forward to continued success on and off the field under his leadership."

With the Feb. 5 late signing day approaching, the urgency is starting to build on Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades to fill the opening.

Fuente's candidacy at Baylor had always seemed a little strange. He's gone 33-20 in four years at Virginia Tech since replacing legendary Frank Beamer, although he was just 14-12 the past two seasons. He had also recently added assistants, including defensive backs coach Ryan Smith.