Baylor Announces Offensive Line Coaching Staff

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - After helping lead the Baylor football offensive line in an interim capacity over the last five games of the year, Austin Woods has been named the offensive line coach and Craig Watts has been named assistant offensive line coach, it was announced on Thursday by Coach Dave Aranda.

Woods wrapped up his first season with the Bears in 2025 and helped lead the offensive line unit over the final five games of the year. Watts, a native of Fort Hood, Texas, completed his third season on the Baylor staff in 2025. He opened his BU career as a graduate assistant before moving into a Quality Control Coach role for the last two years.

WOODS NAMED OFFENSIVE LINE COACH

Woods, who was a Quality Control Coach on the BU team in 2025, led the offensive line over the final five games of the 2025 season. Woods joined the Bears after serving as the offensive line coach and run-game coordinator at UIW for the 2023 season, which followed the 2022 season at Southern California as the senior defensive analyst. He opened his coaching career with eight seasons at his alma mater, Oklahoma, where he helped the Sooners to six Big 12 Championships from 2014-21.

“We are thrilled to welcome Austin Woods to our staff as our new offensive line coach,” Aranda said. “Austin brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of developing physical, technically sound offensive linemen. His attention to detail and ability to connect with players will be invaluable as we continue building a dominant line of scrimmage presence. Austin’s coaching philosophy aligns perfectly with our program’s values and I’m excited about the impact he’ll have on our young men both on and off the field.”

A former Oklahoma offensive lineman, Woods is a product of Heath, Texas. He played for the Sooners from 2010-13, where he earned four letters, was named team captain in 2013 and earned the Bob Kalsu Leadership Award in 2013. He helped the Sooners to a pair of Big 12 Championships in 2010 and 2013 and was a three-time Academic All-Big 12 Conference selection.

“I want to thank Coach Aranda and the entire Baylor Family for this incredible opportunity,” Woods said. “Baylor has a rich tradition and a winning culture that I’m honored to be part of. I’m eager to get to work with our offensive linemen and help them reach their full potential. My goal is to develop tough, intelligent players who take pride in their craft and dominate at the point of attack. I can’t wait to get started and contribute to the success of this program.”

Woods opened his coaching career as an offensive analyst from 2014-19 at Oklahoma, where the Sooners won four league crowns, advanced to three College Football Playoffs, and ranked No. 1 in total offense twice (2017-18). He worked with the tight ends and fullbacks in 2014, and worked with the running backs from 2015-18.

He transitioned to defensive analyst for the Sooners from 2019-21, which included two league crowns, one CFP berth and overall defensive stats in 2020 that included ranking third in sacks and interceptions, and fourth in third-down percentage.

Woods spent the next season at USC, where he worked as a senior defensive analyst with the defensive line. He helped the Trojans rank No. 3 in interceptions in 2022, while assisting the defensive staff.

The 2023 season was spent with UIW, where Woods was an assistant coach, working with the offensive line and as the run-game coordinator. The Cardinals ranked No. 2 in the FCS in total offense (480.2 yards per game), while ranking No. 12 in scoring offense (33.4). He coached three all-conference offensive lineman and did so after revamping a room that saw five transfers and three high school talents come in for his season.

Woods served as a defensive line coach for Jesuit College Preparatory School in Dallas in 2024.

In 2025, Woods served as a Quality Control Coach for the Bears. He stepped into a co-offensive line coach role for the final five games of the year to lead a unit that improved over the last half of 2025. Omar Aigbedion was named an All-American at right guard, while helping lead the offensive attack that ranked in the top-25 in total offense and in the to-five in passing offense.

Woods has a pair of degrees from Oklahoma, including a bachelor’s (2013) and a master’s in administrative leadership (2015).

Woods File

Family

Wife: Madeleine

Son: Warren

Education

Bachelor’s, Oklahoma, 2013

Master’s Oklahoma, 2015

Playing Career

Oklahoma, 2010-13

Coaching Career

2014-19: Offensive Analyst – Oklahoma

2020-21: Defensive Analyst – Oklahoma

2022: Senior Defensive Analyst – USC

2023: Assistant Coach/Offensive Line/Run-Game Coordinator – UIW

2024: Assistant Coach/Defensive Line – Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas

2025: Quality Control Coach/Offensive Line – Baylor

2026: Assistant Coach/Offensive Line – Baylor

WATTS ELEVATED TO ASSISTANT OFFENSIVE LINE COACH

Watts opened his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Nevada in 2021 and Colorado State in 2022, working with the offensive lines at both stop.

He played four years in the NFL following a decorated career at West Texas A&M. He was a four-year starter at WTAMU, including two years as a team captain, making 42 starts and earning All-America honors in 2013. He was named Lone State Conference Lineman of the Year in 2013 and was a three-time all-conference selection.

He continued his playing career as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers in 2014 and 2015, before spending the following two years with the New York Jets.

Watts earned his undergraduate degree in history from West Texas A&M, which followed a prep career at Killeen High School.

Watts File

Personal

Wife: Morgan

Education

West Texas A&M, 2013

Playing Career

West Texas A&M, 2010-13

San Diego Chargers, 2014-15

New York Jets, 2016-17

Coaching Career

2021: Graduate Assistant Coach/Offensive Line – Nevada

2022: Graduate Assistant Coach/Offensive Line – Colorado State

2023: Graduate Assistant Coach/Offensive Line – Baylor

2024-25: Quality Control Coach/Offensive Line – Baylor

2026: Assistant Offensive Line Coach – Baylor

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