While HC Lane Kiffin was planning to bring more staff from Ole Miss, one of LSU’s trusted staff members was being poached. After transforming the Tigers’ defense from 108th in the nation to a top-10 unit, it was obvious that DC Blake Baker would be a hot commodity. His alma mater came calling, but he stayed put in Baton Rouge, not for the new HC.

After Jon Sumrall left for Florida, Tulane began circling Baker as a potential play caller. However, after days of speculation, the 43-year-old put the rumors to rest and reaffirmed his loyalty to the Tigers.

According to sources, Blake Baker has decided to stay with LSU with the expectation of competing at the highest level and even keeping the hopes alive of a national title. His decision made the LSU fans really happy, to the point that the Tigers’ front office couldn’t help but increase his pay.

The newly reported contract will make him the top 3 among college assistants, with an average salary of more than $3 million, as per Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger. The financial aid is a reward for his loyalty to the program and not just because of Lane Kiffin’s addition.

“Blake Baker’s decision to stay with @LSUfootball was largely based on loyalty to current players & recruiting class,” Jacques Doucet tweeted.

The situation became tense when Blake Baker got an offer from Tulane. They were ready to offer $3.4 million per season. But Lane Kiffin wanted him to stay put. That’s why the new HC brought only offensive staff from Ole Miss. And recently confirmed the news.

“Sorry, couldn’t make it to Atlanta, but so excited that I stayed to finish this all up,” Kiffin wrote. “(Coach Baker) is going nowhere. What a really long amazing Friday for (LSU).”

Baker’s impact on the Tigers was instrumental. LSU’s defense in 2023 was a total mess. But this year? ESPN’s SP+ has them at No. 9 in the country. Baker basically flipped that unit overnight. The secondary jumped into the Top 25 in total defense and snatched 21 turnovers in just 12 games.

The Green Waves caught wind of that and wanted him in. Baker interviewed for the job this Monday, but now he is changing his decision for the sake of his players and family. His wife is from there, he played at Tulane, and his roots run deep. Oh, and the money doesn’t hurt either. LSU reportedly bumped him up to around $3 million a year, making him one of the highest-paid assistants in college football. His decision to stay also lined up perfectly with LSU landing some elite defensive talent. That includes the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit, Lamar Brown.

Blake Baker’s $3M Jackpot

Blake Baker’s defensive wizardry at LSU nearly lit the fuse on a head coaching leap, but the current roster pulled him back with a contract blockbuster. A three-year contract worth $9.3 million.

The dough? Starts at $3 million in 2025, climbs to $3.1 million (2026), then $3.2 million (2027). The deal includes a fourth-year option that would pay him $3.5 million in 2028. There are other performance triggers for auto-extensions and raises if his unit crushes benchmarks. If LSU’s defense finishes in the top 20 in scoring defense in any of the first three years, Baker would earn a $300,000 bonus.

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That’s why Kiffin only added staff to the offensive team. The new HC hired Charlie Weis Jr. as his offensive coordinator, Joe Cox and co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach, George McDonald as wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator for his on-field staff. All of them came from Ole Miss. This was all possible due to Baker’s track record. He helped LSU become a red-zone shutdown unit (best in the SEC) and an interception machine (7th nationally).