Miami Hurricanes DC Blake Baker officially announced LSU LB coach

Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Blake Baker has been officially announced as the new linebackers coach at LSU. The speculation about Baker leaving Coral Gables for Baton Rouge evolved throughout the day on Thursday and was confirmed by LSU in the early evening.

The decision by Baker to leave Miami and take the job at LSU gives him a chance to returns to his college football roots. Baker played LB at Tulane in New Orleans and was on the staff at Louisiana Tech from 2014-18. Baker will be joining a re-made defensive staff. The Tigers are one year removed from a National Championship.

Baker joins the Tigers staff led by head coach Ed Orgeron who was the defensive line coach at Miami from 1988-92 where he won two National Championships under Dennis Erickson. The exit of Baker had been speculated since head coach Manny Diaz announced he would resume play-calling duties in 2021.

Baker had called the defensive plays for the Hurricanes the past two seasons as co-defensive coordinator with Ephraim Banda. Banda left Miami for Utah State following the season. The departure by Banda was one of a few changes on the Miami defensive staff for the 2021 season.

Miami hired defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson, cornerbacks coach DeMarcus Van Dyke and defensive line coach Jess Simpson this month to replace Banda who was safeties coach, CB coach Mike Rumph and DL Coach Todd Stroud. Robinson who was the DC at South Carolina the last four years could replace Baker.

Diaz could also decide to pursue an outside candidate. The Miami Hurricanes coaching staff is still a destination job. but Diaz could have a difficult time seeking candidates this late in the offseason. There has not been any early speculation who could replace Baker. Diaz has a diverse background in coaching to interview candidates.