New development in the LSU defensive coordinator search

There’s a clear-cut No. 1 in the DC search right now. It’s Blake Baker. We’re hearing things are in the final stages with LSU and Blake Baker to bring him back to Baton Rouge. No one has given us the “done, done” yet, but we’re close…

Multiple sources didn’t back down that Baker is the target and things are progressing. It’s being worked out with the agent right now. Things haven’t been completely wrapped up, but “close” has been told to us as far as where things stand.

Some folks are telling us that things can happen soon, which is what we expected with this one. Both sides want clarity on the future and whether to move on or not. LSU is in the final stages with getting Baker to Baton Rouge.

So stay tuned…

Baker coached the linebackers at LSU in 2021 before becoming Missouri’s defensive coordinator following Brian Kelly’s arrival in Baton Rouge. Missouri agreed to an extension with Baker last month to up his pay once again.

During his time at Missouri, the 41-year old was impressive. Missouri finished with the No. 34 total defense in both 2022 and 2023, allowing 341 and 336 yards per game, respectively. That helped the Tigers land in a New Year’s Six Bowl, and Missouri knocked off Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl in a game that saw Baker’s defense hold the Buckeyes to just three points.

Baker, a Houston native who played at Tulane from 2000-04, not only coached at LSU in 2021, but he’s also married to a Louisiana native and former All-SEC soccer player at LSU. Baker was also the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Louisiana Tech from 2015-18, and was the safeties coach the year prior.

LSU quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan was also at Louisiana Tech during Baker’s entire time with the Bulldogs, with Sloan serving as the co-offensive coordinator and later the offensive coordinator before being hired by Kelly to join the staff in Baton Rouge.

With Baker being on the short list for LSU’s defensive coordinator vacancy, it’s worth noting the prior relationship given Sloan is in the mix for LSU’s offensive coordinator job after taking over as the play-caller in the booth and co-offensive coordinator in the bowl game win over Wisconsin.

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