Lane Kiffin pulls off stunner to keep Blake Baker with eye-opening new contract

In a surprising twist that has LSU fans smiling, Blake Baker will stay at LSU to be Lane Kiffin's defensive coordinator in 2026. Baker had interviewed for several head coaching jobs, and was reported to be the top target to take the Tulane job.

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Baker played for the Green Wave as a linebacker from 2000-04 before entering the coaching ranks in 2009. Given that he seemingly had a chance to coach at his alma mater, Tiger fans were expecting Baker to be on the move.

But now, On3 has confirmed that Kiffin has retained Baker to stay on board as his defensive coordinator as he continues rounding out his first coaching staff in Baton Rouge.

LSU retains DC Blake Baker with eye-popping contract

Baker first came to Baton Rouge in 2021 as the linebackers coach before leaving for Missouri to be the defensive coordinator from 2022-23. He returned to LSU in December 2024, when he received a contract worth $2.5 million per year to serve as LSU's defensive coordinator. The deal made him the highest-paid assistant coach in all of college football at the time.

According to Ross Dellinger, Baker's new contract is a three-year deal worth more than $3 million annually. His new deal makes him among the top 3 highest-paid assistant coaches in the country. It also comes with performance benchmarks, which can trigger automatic extensions and salary increases.

The LSU defense has seen a stark increase in production under Baker. The Tigers ranked 15th in scoring defense and 25th in total defense this past season. Baker played a huge role in bringing in star transfers Mansoor Delane and AJ Haulcy, as well as 5-star recruit DJ Pickett. He also helped LSU sign 2026 No. 1 overall prospect Lamar Brown, who is set to take the field for the Tigers next season.