Waco, TX— Dave Aranda, Baylor University’s Head Football Coach, has been named the 2025 College Football Philanthropy Icon, a top national recognition for his remarkable humanitarian effort, community commitment, and long-term charity donations. The honor, given by the College Football Philanthropy Alliance (CFPA) on Tuesday, recognizes Aranda’s tireless efforts to enhance communities across Texas and beyond, transcending the bounds of sports.
Aranda, who has headed the Baylor Bears since 2020, is well-known for his analytical coaching style, quiet leadership, and emotional intelligence. Away from the field, he has quietly become a transformational figure, devoting time, resources, and a heartfelt commitment to addressing social issues ranging from food insecurity and youth education to mental health advocacy and affordable housing.
The CFPA cited Aranda’s “unwavering moral compass and servant leadership” as the basis for its decision. In a written statement, the group said:
“Coach Dave Aranda illustrates the capacity of college athletics to influence lives, not just through wins and championships, but with purpose, compassion, and community involvement. His work in Waco and across Texas is a roadmap for how coaches may be catalysts for enduring, positive change.”
The CFPA cited Aranda’s “unwavering moral compass and servant leadership” as the basis for its decision. In a written statement, the group stated:
Among Aranda’s most notable efforts is the “Green and Gold Community Care Program,” which he began in 2021 in collaboration with local charities. The program offers nutritional assistance to food-insecure families, scholarships to first-generation college students, and mental health services to high school athletes. Over the last three years, the program has directly benefitted over 12,000 families in central Texas.
Furthermore, Aranda and his wife Dione have personally funded a number of youth development initiatives, including the renovation of community centers in underserved Waco neighborhoods. His football players are frequently seen volunteering as mentors and tutors in local schools, demonstrating the service culture that Aranda has instilled in the Baylor football program.
When asked about the honor, Aranda was humble, saying:
“Football is both a gift and a platform. We are expected to serve—not simply to lead players on the field, but also to love people off of it. This honor exemplifies the spirit of our athletes, staff, and the Baylor community.”
Linda Livingstone, the university president, lauded Aranda’s character and leadership:
“Dave embodies the Baylor mission: excellence in leadership, rooted on Christian values, and devoted to effective change. He leads with integrity, with empathy, and with a great depth of purpose.”
The honor will be formally presented at the 2025 College Football Impact Gala in Atlanta this autumn, when Aranda is scheduled to offer keynote remarks on the future of philanthropy in college athletics.
In an era when college football is sometimes defined by media headlines and NIL deals, Coach Dave Aranda stands out as a quiet light of hope and humanity, a reminder that leadership is about more than just the numbers. It’s about utilizing influence to create something that lasts beyond a season – a legacy of compassion, action, and true effect.