Report: LSU’s Blake Baker could be Tulane's next head coach

LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker could be headed elsewhere. Fletcher Mackel of WDSU reports that sources have indicated Baker is poised to be the next head coach at Tulane. 

Baker led the Tigers’ defense to one of their best seasons in recent memory, as the Tigers finished ranked 25th in the country in total defense and first in the SEC in interceptions with 17. Baker was nominated as a Broyles Award semifinalist this week. 

If finalized, Baker would take over Jon Sumrall, who accepted the Florida head coaching job this week. Baker is a Tulane grad, playing linebacker for the Green Wave back in the early 2000s.

Bio 

Baker is in his second stint at LSU as he previously coached the Tiger linebackers in 2021 where in one season, he transformed linebacker Damone Clark into an All-America. He arrived at LSU with eight years of defensive coordinator experience at the FBS level, including two years at Missouri (2022-23), two at Miami (2019-20) and four at Louisiana Tech (2015-18).

In his first year back at LSU, Baker began his transformation of the Tiger defense, a unit that shaved more than 50 yards per game from its average in 2023. Despite losing All-America candidate Harold Perkins in game 5 vs. UCLA and starting defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory in game 2, Baker’s defense still played a significant role in the Tigers winning nine games capped with a victory over Baylor in the Texas Bowl.

Prior to his arrival at LSU, Baker helped Missouri to an 11-win season and a Top 10 national ranking in 2023. Baker served as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Missouri for two seasons helping the Tigers win 18 games and appear in a pair of bowl games.

Baker’s 2023 Missouri defense played a vital role in the Tigers going 11-2 overall and capping the season with a 14-3 win over No. 7 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Missouri’s 11 wins were the most for the school in nearly a decade. In the win over Ohio State, Missouri held the Buckeyes without a touchdown for the first time since the 2016 season.

As a unit in 2023, Missouri ranked No. 4 in the SEC in scoring defense (20.8 points per game) and No. 5 in the league in both rushing defense (122.8) and total defense (336.1). Missouri led the SEC and ranked No. 4 nationally in fumbles forced (17) and they were No. 11 in the nation in sacks with 39. The Tigers were also among the Top 20 in the nation in fumbles recovered (No. 16 with 10) and tackles for loss (No. 18 with 88).