WACO, Texas - Baylor elevated defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman to interim head coach Sunday following the dismissal of Dave Aranda, placing one of college football's premier defensive strategists in charge of the program.

Klanderman, who joined the Bears earlier this year to oversee the defense and direct the safeties, steps into the top leadership role as Baylor sits at 4-3 overall and 2-2 in Big 12 action following a 25-24 defeat against Kansas.

Aranda was relieved of his duties Sunday after accumulating a 40-40 record across seven seasons in Waco.