Newly appointed LSU head coach Lane Kiffin would like to retain defensive coordinator Blake Baker, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.

Baker has been LSU’s defensive coordinator for two seasons, following the decision to part ways with former defensive coordinator Matt House.

When Baker was hired, he inherited the worst statistical defense in LSU history in 2023. With his help in 2024, the unit improved from the season before, yet it still finished in the bottom half of the SEC in all but four major defensive categories.

Now in 2025, Baker has assembled a top-25 defense with the help of his staff, including edge rushers coach Kevin Peoples, safeties coach Jake Olsen, who coached at Missouri with him, defensive backs coach Corey Raymond and defensive line coach Kyle Williams, who both graduated from LSU.

Baker himself coaches the linebackers, who have been a strong suit of the defense across his two seasons at LSU. Harold Perkins Jr. is looking like a future NFL draft selection, and the Weeks brothers, Whit and West, are leading the defensive unit.

While Kiffin desires to keep Baker, it doesn’t mean that he’ll be here next season, as Tulane’s head coaching job recently opened following Jon Sumrall’s departure for Florida. Baker played at Tulane during his college career, drawing some buzz amid the school’s coaching search.

Baker interviewed with Tulane for the open position Monday, FOX 8 reported.