How Blake Baker Is Changing Unity

The LSU defensive coordinator returned to Baton Rouge in January with the tall task of transforming the Tigers’ defense.

In 2023, the Bayou Bengals had one of the worst defensive performances in program history under then-coordinator Matt House.

Now it’s Baker in charge, with this unit trending in the right direction heading into the second half of Southeastern Conference play.

National Classifications:
Team Bags: 7th
Red Zone Defense: 18th
Scoring defense: 35th
Total Defense: 67th

That’s 180 points from last season for this defense, with Baker getting the most out of his players week in and week out.

The Tigers have bought into the philosophy Baker is presenting with a dynamic scheme that puts players in the right position to succeed.

“The small nuances of pressures in these situations make protection schemes difficult. These small adjustments to our pressures are things that Blake carried with him and were effective. We wanted something that gave us the opportunity to attack his protections but also have a runner in a position that can actually spy on the quarterback,” Brian Kelly said Monday. “That was something he had used in certain situations before and felt like this was the week it would be effective.”

It’s a challenge to routinely get the best out of players, but Kelly gave credit to Baker’s relationship with each player.

He worked with the defense on and off the field to develop a connection that made them want to match up with him.

“Clearly, there is a connection through belief, trust and the ability to build relationships with players that promotes this,” Kelly said. “Relationships take time and Blake dedicates time to them. He’s in the building all the time, during the summer he’s here. ‘hey, I wish you would do these things for me.’ It’s the time he puts in and because of that he’s built really good relationships and he’s doing it based on trust.”

LSU’s defense isn’t quite there yet, given the standard in Baton Rouge isn’t the 67th-best total defense in America, but moving in the right direction is a positive start for this group.

Baker has had a hands-on approach with LSU’s linebackers since arriving in Louisiana. It’s his specialty and we saw it during his first stop at The Boot after turning LSU great Damone Clark into a Butkus Award finalist.

Now it’s star sophomore Whit Weeks who is reaping the benefits of Baker’s coaching.

He took the nation by storm after back-to-back dominant performances over Ole Miss and Arkansas with 27 total tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and two pass breakups over the last two games.

“That’s what we hope. We’re the LSU Fightin’ Tigers, that’s how you expect us to play,” Weeks said after the Arkansas win. “I’m proud of our guys. in the field. I know the group of guys we have and I’m coming out to us over anyone.

“I really give credit to Coach Baker. There is much more I can do. There were plays I should have made but didn’t, and Coach Baker is going to help me and coach me well.

Now, LSU prepares for a Week 9 matchup against the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station, with significant College Football Playoff implications on the line at Kyle Field.

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