BREAKING: Lane Kiffin keeps DC Blake Baker at LSU
The waiting game is over when it comes to the future of LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker and reported interest from other colleges to become a head coach.
In recent weeks, Baker’s name was tied to both Tulane and Memphis openings, with reports out of New Orleans circling Baker as the likely hire for the Green Wave with a deal reportedly set to be finalized by Friday.
That never happened.
Instead, Baker will remain as LSU’s defensive coordinator, Kiffin confirmed through a social media post late-Friday evening.
“Sorry couldn’t make it to Atlanta, but so excited that I stayed to finish this all up! (Blake Baker) is going nowhere !!!!,” Kiffin posted to X. “What a really long amazing Friday for (LSU Football) #ItsDifferent.”
While Kiffin brought most of the Ole Miss on-field coaches with him from Oxford, there had been no movement with LSU’s defensive staff.
Had Baker accepted a head coaching job elsewhere, big shakeup was likely coming. Now, it appears the staff will largely remain in place, which includes Baker as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, defensive backs coach Corey Raymond, safeties coach Jake Olsen, defensive ends and edge rushers coach Kevin Peoples, and – for now – defensive tackles coach Kyle Williams.
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Williams is likely set to retire from college coaching to spend time with family following a lengthy NFL career that went straight into coaching at Ruston, his high school alma mater. Then, he spent the past season on LSU Football’s staff.
On Friday, Syracuse assistant and former SEC assistant Elijah Robinson – one of the top defensive line coaches in college football – was on LSU’s campus as a top target for Kiffin in the likelihood there is change to the defensive line’s on-field staff.
The news comes after Kiffin and the Tigers had a huge showing during the Early Signing Period this week, pulling off late flips, securing multiple 5-star prospects, and finishing with one of the best classes in the country.
And with the NCAA Transfer Portal ahead in January, Kiffin’s past should prove to yield big results for LSU’s roster.
Stay tuned for more on this breaking news.