Polarizing Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach Blake Baker is reportedly finalizing a deal to become the linebackers coach at LSU with enhanced responsibilities. Baker led an elite Miami defense during his first season in 2019, but the Hurricanes regressed in 2020.
Football Scoop reported earlier on Thursday that Baker would head to LSU as the Co-DC and LB coach. Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz announced earlier this month he would resume play-calling duties for the 2021 season. Baker was originally hired by Diaz as the Miami co-DC in 2019.
Baker and Ephraim Banda who left for Utah State shared DC over the past two seasons. Baker made the defensive play calls on game days. Banda leaving to become the defensive play-caller for the Aggies was part of a reorganization of the Miami defensive staff following the 2020 season.
Prior to being hired at Miami as the DC to replace Diaz who had been elevated to head coach Baker spent five seasons at Louisiana Tech. Baker was the Bulldogs DC his last four seasons in Ruston. Baker began his coaching as a graduate assistant at Texas. Baker left Texas to become the safeties coach at Arkansas State.
Baker, 38, is expected to hold a more enhanced title and responsibilities than a normal position coach role, but those things are being ironed out.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 28, 2021
The departure of Baker leaves only strikers coach and special teams coordinator Jonathan Patke as a defensive coach from the original staff under Diaz in his first season in 2019. Miami hired defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson, cornerbacks coach DeMarcus Van Dyke and defensive line coach Jess Simpson this month.
Robinson could be a candidate to replace Baker after working as the DC at South Carolina over the past four seasons. Diaz could also search for the replacement to Baker outside the Miami Football program. In one offseason after a disappointing performance by the Hurricanes defense, Diaz has nearly remade the defensive staff.