Lane Kiffin is working to build his first coaching staff as head coach of the LSU Tigers, and he may have just made the biggest move. Kiffin announced on social media that defensive coordinator Blake Baker is being retained.

Baker reportedly interviewed to become the head coach of the Tulane Green Wave and Memphis Tigers, but is electing to stay put in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Baker played linebacker at Tulane from 2000-04 and has also coached at Missouri, Miami, and Louisiana Tech.

He has been their defensive coordinator for the past two seasons, orchestrating an impressive turnaround after the unit collapsed in 2023. They allowed 18.3 points per game in 2025, the 15th fewest in the country and the fourth fewest in the SEC. They also rank among the top 25 teams in the country in turnovers (21), total defense (319.7), and opponent third-down conversions (33.33%).

The move capped off an impressive Friday for Kiffin and the Tigers. They were also able to sign five-star athlete Lamar Brown, four-star defensive lineman Deuce Geralds, and four-star edge rusher Trenton Henderson despite several other schools looking to flip them during the early signing period. All three are top 70 players in the 2026 recruiting cycle and will have a chance to play early for Baker.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Blake Baker to remain as LSU's defensive coordinator

Reporting by JD McCarthy, College Sports Wire / College Sports Wire

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