Will Lane Kiffin Replace LSU DC Blake Baker? Latest Rumors on Coaching Staff for HC

After leaving Ole Miss to become the head coach of LSU, Lane Kiffin is reportedly keeping a holdover from the team's previous staff.

According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, Kiffin is planning on retaining Blake Baker as the Tigers' defensive coordinator.

Baker originally joined LSU as its linebackers coach in 2021, but he wasn't retained on the staff when Brian Kelly was hired as head coach later that year. After spending two years on the coaching staff at Missouri, he returned to Baton Rouge to be Kelly's defensive coordinator in 2024.

After rejoining the program, Baker was faced with a massive rebuilding project, as LSU's 2023 unit was one of the worst statistical defenses in program history. The team allowed 416.6 yards and 28.5 points per game during the 2023 season, which included a horrendous performance where it gave up a staggering 706 yards of offense to Ole Miss in a 55-49 loss.

It didn't take very long for Baker to turn things around. While LSU struggled this year with a 7-5 record, the team's defense ranked 15th in the nation while allowing 18.3 points per game and 25th with 319.7 yards allowed per game. The Tigers ended the regular season with a 17-13 loss to No. 8 Oklahoma on Saturday, forcing three turnovers by the Sooners.

Oklahoma Escapes LSU 😮‍💨

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Kiffin will be tasked with rebuilding an LSU program that has been starving for success since winning the 2019 national championship. Keeping Baker in the fold is a strong step in the right direction as he tries to lead the Tigers into a new era.