Baylor Coach Apologizes for Film Reference
Baylor’s football coach, Dave Aranda, has expressed regret after referencing a scene from the popular Leonardo DiCaprio movie during a discussion on the recruitment of athletes. This occurred at the Texas High School Coaches Association event in late July.
Aranda revealed that he feels a bit uneasy about some aspects of the NCAA relocation process, emphasizing his desire to remain true to his values while trying to bring players to Baylor. He remarked that during this recruitment, some athletes felt like part of a team, and that’s when he quoted a scene from the 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street.
In the film, DiCaprio’s character and co-star Jonah Hill make comments about dwarves, with a particularly memorable moment involving discussion of throwing them onto a dartboard. Aranda started by quoting, “In Wall Street Wolves, there’s a moment where they talk about tossing midgets.” He continued, “They say, ‘Hey, can this dwarf roll there?’ and respond, ‘No, I’m not throwing him.’” He explained this was just part of a larger conversation where it’s crucial for everyone to feel included.
Aranda acknowledged that “the midgets might think we’re making fun of them” and that it’s important for athletes to feel they are among friends. He mentioned that in coaching, it mirrors recruitment; it’s about making players feel valued and integrated.
Following the event, Baylor decided to cut the reenactment from their broadcast. However, the clip received significant attention, even prompting a reaction from a dwarf advocacy group called Mascot Matter, which noted that such comments contribute to the normalization of derogatory language regarding those with disabilities.
Critics pointed out that using “outdated and offensive language” can have serious repercussions. They emphasized that comments from influential figures in sports can shape attitudes among young fans and athletes towards individuals with disabilities.
Aranda offered a brief apology upon returning to Baylor to address reporters, stating, “The last time I spoke, I misstepped and hurt a lot of people. I wanted to apologize for that.” He expressed that his remarks were not intentional and that he regretfully hadn’t planned on discussing them that way.
Despite this incident, Aranda appears to be secure in his position. He signed a contract extension with Baylor, which locks him in until 2029, following a successful run that included a Sugar Bowl victory in 2021, marking the team’s return to the top 25 rankings.
