For most people, 2020 felt like a fever dream. For current Cowboys linebacker Damone Clark, it probably felt like a nightmare. 

He was once one of the most derided players on LSU’s roster, and without the hiring of then Miami defensive coordinator Blake Baker, he would’ve stayed that way.

At the start of Clark’s junior year, he was one of the biggest names on campus. The Tigers had gone from Devin White, Jacob Phillips, Patrick Queen and now they were giving Clark the keys. For obvious reasons, fans and media had high expectations.  

It appeared LSU was in store for another defensive star. However, that feeling quickly faded. 

Shortly into the 2020 season, the Tigers began to realize Clark was not near his potential. After having poor performance after poor performance he soon became the target for fans’ frustrations.

Due to Clark’s hype, he’d become the face of a failing defense. Fans would erupt chants begging for him to be benched; The fanbase was sick of watching him and the lackluster defense. 

When Baker was hired, he instantly saw promise in Clark. He was able to diagnose where Clark had been falling short and create easy to digest game plans to correct his issues. In only a year, Baker had helped Clark to go from a most-hated athlete, to a Butkus Award Finalist. 

Baker’s ability to find an issue and create a solution that is comprehensible is the pinnacle of coaching. His diligence is what made him a respected coach, and, as a result, had a major impact on LSU’s defense. 

After bad game after bad game, the Tigers quickly lost confidence in themselves. Players like Clark had the worst of this; his expectations were so high and he never came close to reaching them.

As the season got longer, Clark began to doubt himself, drastically worsening his play. Baker’s enthusiastic efforts restored the Tigers’ identity. It gave power to players like Clark, whose position is dependent on judgment calls. 

Baker’s efforts removed the second-guessing on defense, and allowed players to have faith in their ability. The defense had pride again and were able to rebound from any defeat. 

While the 2021 season opened in a loss, the team’s confidence never waivered. Clark was still the face of the defense. As he flew around, making play after play, other players started to match his energy.

The Tigers went from allowing 34.9 points per game in 2020, to 26.6 points per game in 2021. Individual production rose as well, as Clark was recognized as one of the best linebackers in college football. 

Clark finished the season leading the SEC in tackles, was second in tackles for loss and finished top 10 in several other categories. When asked about his shocking success, he put it simply: 

“Coach Baker got the best out of me,” Clark said.

After the final game, Clark began to prepare for the NFL Draft. However, for LSU, the program would begin to completely rebuild its football staff.

When Brian Kelly was hired, it was clear the program needed new staff. Unfortunately for Baker, he was caught in the wave of assistants not retained. After three years it’s clear that was a major mistake, and one Kelly made sure to correct. 

The program recently announced Baker will be its new defensive coordinator, in light of Matt House’s firing. Kelly pulled him away from Mizzou after they had announced they would be extending him. He even doubled down by making Baker the highest-paid assistant in college football. Now there’s only one question left.

After all the trouble the program went through to get him, will Baker pay off?  

In 2014, Baker was LA Tech’s safeties coach. Four of the top-five leading tacklers, during the Bulldog’s 2014 season, were coached by Baker. Kentrell Brice (No.1), Xavier Woods (No.2), Levander Liggins (No.4) and Terrell Pinson (No.5).

The group combined for 274 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 29 pass deflections and a staggering 23 turnovers forced. The Bulldogs finished with the 39th ranked defense in points allowed, with them allowing on average 24.7 points per game. 

In 2015, Baker was announced as the defensive coordinator for the Bulldogs. With this move, he also became the linebackers coach. This is the first time, of many, where he caused a player to excel. 

Beau Fitte was a two-star recruit coming out of high school. In his first three years, Fitte was a limited player. Through his first 29 games, he had 86 total tackles, five for loss, one sack and two interceptions. Between 2012-2014, Fitte appeared to be a decent player at best. 

Baker took over linebacker duties in 2015; instantly, an impact was made. Fitte would finish the season with 104 total tackles, six were for loss, record no sacks but have two more interceptions. He was top 10 in three separate Conference USA categories.  

Baker’s defense finished allowing 26.8 points per game. Though they did regress, the Bulldog’s defensive production was clearly still there.

In Baker’s four-year tenure as defensive coordinator, he allowed an average of 27.2 points per game; Louisiana Tech showed resilience under him, allowing above 30 points per game in 2016 to only 23 points per game in 2018. 

His success in Ruston landed him a job as Miami’s defensive coordinator, where in his first year the Canes finished with the 23rd ranked defense, allowing only 20.2 points per game.

However, Baker’s ability as a coach was doubted in Miami; while his defense was productive, his play-calling duties were removed by the end of his second season. This change caused Baker to accept an assistant job at LSU as linebackers coach.  

After his departure, it was clear Baker wasn’t  the issue in Miami, as the program would drop to the 85th ranked defense. However, soon enough, he’d be given another opportunity to prove his ability. 

In 2022, Mizzou announced Baker as its safeties coach. After only a month, he’d be named the defensive coordinator due to Steve Wilks migrating to the NFL.  

Over the last two years, Mizzou has had the 28th and 13th toughest strength of schedule. Despite this, the program has produced the 56th and 26th ranked defense; one that helped them land ninth in the final AP poll. 

Baker’s defense is productive and it relies on two basic elements of football: Instinctual linebackers and physical defensive backs. Whatever program he has been with, this trend has followed. Fitte, Clark, Ty’Ron Hopper, Woods, Bubba Bolden, Kris Abrams-Draine, Ennis Rakestraw Jr and Jaylon Carlies- all players who attack downfield, play with aggression and read the field well. 

LSU is DBU. The program has produced some of the best college defensive backs and had a nice roster of notable linebackers. The Tigers missed that notoriety this year, and Baker is the coach to bring it back.

He’ll be able to restore the identity LSU lost, while putting it into a modernized defense that will allow stars, such as Harold Perkins, to produce. 

Baker is more than a defensive coordinator; he’s a teacher who brings out the best in players. He instills confidence in them and, in doing so, raises their level of play. He’s done it time after time, with program after program. Now, he has a program with plenty of youth, talent and enthusiasm. 

Baker was a homerun pickup. His defense should migrate smoothly to the Bayou and bring the Tigers back to defensive dominance.