January 18, 2024

By Dylan Heinrich

After signing an extension less than a month ago, Blake Baker leaves Missouri for a second stint at LSU

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Missouri defensive coordinator Blake Baker and his defensive unit were unable to beat Louisiana State in a matchup on Oct. 7, allowing LSU and their Heisman trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels to put up 49 points in the loss. 

After signing a three-year coaching extension contract on Dec. 21, 2023, Baker departed 15 days later to become the defensive coordinator at LSU. 

Baker’s then deal with Missouri came with a base salary of $1.9 million, with a $100,000 raise each season. LSU upped the salary to $2.5 million per season on a three-year deal, making Baker the highest paid assistant in college football. 

In an attempt to keep Baker, Missouri countered with a $2 million salary next season, but he refused the offer. Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz has yet to release any updates about a potential replacement for Baker.

Over Baker’s two seasons in Columbia, the Tigers’ defense allowed on average 23 points per game. The 2023 season contributed to this overall average significantly with a season average of 20.9 points. 

Perhaps the defense’s biggest feat of the season was holding No.7 Ohio State to only 3 points in the Cotton Bowl Classic, the lowest points scored under the tenure of OSU head coach Ryan Day. 

Baker also helped develop a strong defensive senior roster, with seven players declaring for the 2024 NFL draft so far.

Baker was not the sole defensive leader however with D.J. Smith being his co-coordinator. Smith has been with Missouri football since 2019 and served as the sole linebacker coach and recruiting coordinator this past season.

Baker has always been tied to the state of Louisiana, going back to his playing days as a linebacker at Tulane. He returned to the state with Louisiana Tech from 2014-18, starting as a safeties coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator in his second season. 

After two years as the University of Miami defensive coordinator, he returned to the “Bayou State” a third time in 2021 as the LSU linebackers’ coach under head coach Ed Orgeron. After Orgeron was fired at the conclusion of the season, new coach Brian Kelly made the decision to not retain Baker, opening up the opportunity at Missouri. 

Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz has yet to release any updates about a potential replacement for Baker.

Edited by Grace Ainger | gainger@themaneater.com 

Copy edited by Sterling Sewell | ssewell@themaneater.com