Baylor Football: A First Look at Dave Aranda's New Offensive Scheme

What to Expect from the Bears' Offense in 2023

After a disappointing 2022 season that saw the Baylor Bears finish 6-7, head coach Dave Aranda has made some significant changes to his coaching staff, including the hiring of offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes.

Grimes comes to Baylor from BYU, where he spent the past three seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. During his time at BYU, Grimes helped the Cougars to three bowl games and a 10-3 record in 2022.

Grimes is known for his innovative offensive schemes, and he is expected to bring some of that creativity to Baylor. The Bears' offense has struggled in recent years, so a change in philosophy could be just what the doctor ordered.

A New Focus on the Running Game

One of the biggest changes that Grimes is expected to make is a greater emphasis on the running game. Baylor has been a pass-first team in recent years, but Grimes is a proponent of a more balanced approach.

The Bears have some talented running backs on their roster, led by Richard Reese. Reese is a bruising runner who averaged 5.6 yards per carry in 2022. He should be the focal point of the Baylor offense in 2023.

In addition to Reese, the Bears also have a number of other talented running backs, including Qualan Jones and Taye McWilliams. With so much talent in the backfield, Grimes should be able to find a way to get the running game going in 2023.

A More Creative Passing Game

While Grimes is expected to focus on the running game, he is also a creative play-caller who is not afraid to take risks. The Bears' passing game should be more dynamic in 2023, with Grimes utilizing a variety of formations and play-action passes.

The Bears have a talented group of receivers, led by Monaray Baldwin and Gavin Holmes. Baldwin is a big, physical receiver who can make plays down the field, while Holmes is a shifty slot receiver who can create separation. With these two weapons at his disposal, Grimes should be able to open up the passing game in 2023.

A New Quarterback

The biggest question mark for the Baylor offense in 2023 is at quarterback. Blake Shapen started the majority of games in 2022, but he was inconsistent. Grimes will have to decide whether to stick with Shapen or go with a different quarterback in 2023.

The Bears have a number of other quarterbacks on their roster, including Kyron Drones and Jacob Zeno. Drones is a talented runner who could be a good fit for Grimes' scheme, while Zeno is a more traditional pocket passer.

Grimes will have to evaluate all of his options at quarterback in the spring and make a decision on who will be the starter in 2023.

Conclusion

The Baylor offense is expected to look a lot different in 2023 under the direction of new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. Grimes is a creative play-caller who is known for his innovative offensive schemes. He is expected to bring a more balanced approach to the Baylor offense, with a greater emphasis on the running game.

The Bears have a lot of talent on offense, including running back Richard Reese and receivers Monaray Baldwin and Gavin Holmes. With Grimes at the helm, the Baylor offense should be more dynamic and explosive in 2023.