Lane Kiffin and LSU retaining defensive coordinator Blake Baker is a huge win for the Tigers. Baker was heavily linked to the Tulane head coaching job, and it seemed that he was in line to be New Orleans bound to coach at his alma mater. However, Kiffin pulled off a stunner by keeping Baker in Baton Rouge with a new 3-year contract worth approximately $3 million annually.
Frank Wilson continues being treated so poorly by LSU and Lane Kiffin
As Kiffin continues to fill out his 2026 coaching staff, he has been eyeing a "splash hire" for his defensive line coach by bringing in former Syracuse defensive coordinator Elijah Robinson. However, it now appears that several other schools have entered the race for Robinson's services.
LSU's pursuit of Elijah Robinson in danger as other schools enter the mix
LSU was close to securing Robinson this past weekend when he visited Baton Rouge to check out the LSU campus and meet with Kiffin. However, CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz is now reporting that a deal between LSU and Robinson is very much in question.
An update re: Elijah Robinson and the LSU defensive line coach job, per sources:
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 9, 2025
It’s very much in question at this point that Robinson, who is of interest to more than just LSU, ends up joining the Tigers’ staff. There’s some doubt at this stage that it ends up happening. pic.twitter.com/JSrLHGNk9i
"It’s very much in question at this point that Robinson, who is of interest to more than just LSU, ends up joining the Tigers’ staff. There’s some doubt at this stage that it ends up happening," Zenitz posted to his X account on Tuesday evening.
One school in particular seems to be among the frontrunners to land Robinson. According to 104.5 ESPN's Matt Moscona, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are still in the mix to bring Robinson to Lincoln.
Robinson spent the last two seasons as Syracuse's defensive coordinator and play-caller. However, he saw his role get diminished, as head coach Fran Brown announced last week that Robinson's defensive play-calling duties were revoked. Brown also stated that Robinson would transition to Syracuse's co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.
Given his recent demotion, Robinson's name has emerged as a prized name on the coaching market. As the search continues, Kiffin is hoping Robinson comes to Baton Rouge to be his defensive line coach for 2026.
Along with his time at Syracuse, Robinson previously spent time at Texas A&M, and served as the interim head coach for the Aggies when Jimbo Fisher was fired in 2023. He's also held coaching positions at Penn State, Temple, and Baylor.