Miami Hurricanes defense coordinator Blake Baker has been officially announced as the new lineout coach at LSU. The speculation that Baker Coral Gables would leave for Baton Rouge developed through the course of the day on Thursday and was confirmed by LSU early in the evening.
Baker’s decision to leave Miami and take the job at LSU gives him the chance to return to his college football roots. Baker played LB in Tulane, New Orleans and was on the staff at Louisiana Tech from 2014 to 18. Baker will join a re-defense staff. The Tigers are removed from a national championship one year.
Baker joins the Tigers staff under the leadership of head coach Ed Orgeron, who was the defensive coach in Miami from 1988-92, where he won two national championships under Dennis Erickson. There has been speculation about Baker’s retirement since head coach Manny Diaz announced he would resume his duties in 2021.
Baker has named the defensive game for the Hurricanes as coordinator along with Ephraim Banda for the past two seasons. Banda left Miami for Utah State after the season. The departure by Banda was one of several changes to the Miami defense staff for the 2021 season.
Hold that tiger
Blake Baker is Callin ‘Baton Rouge and will coach the Tigers’ lineout balance. pic.twitter.com/sEJ32fvGG0
– LSU Soccer (@LSUfootball) 29 January 2021
Miami this month appointed defensive coach Travaris Robinson, corner coach DeMarcus Van Dyke and defensive line coach Jess Simpson to replace Banda, who is the coach of the security company, Mike Rumph, CB coach, and Todd Stroud, coach of DL, wash. Robinson, who has been DC in South Carolina for the past four years, could replace Baker.
Diaz may also decide to pursue an outside candidate. The Miami Hurricanes coaching staff is still a destination. but Diaz can hardly find candidates later in the off-season. There was no early speculation as to who could replace Baker. Diaz has a diverse background in coaching to interview candidates.