Blake Baker looks to improve Missouri’s defense
COLUMBIA, Mo. (BVM) – In February, former Missouri defensive coordinator Steve Wilks announced that he was leaving the Tigers to return to the NFL where he will serve as the Carolina Panthers’ secondary coach and passing–game coordinator. This announcement led Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz to name Blake Baker the next defensive coordinator after originally hiring him to be the safeties coach in January.
𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞, Blake Baker (@CoachBlakeBaker)!
https://t.co/9Lkrfzml8i#MIZ
pic.twitter.com/a9rVHTzfLM
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) January 27, 2022
Baker played college football at Tulane where he was a linebacker for the Green Wave from 2000-2004. The linebacker racked up 145 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and six sacks in his college career.
Baker got his first coaching gig in 2009, serving as the wide receivers coach for Clear Springs High School in Houston. In Baker’s solo season with the Chargers, they went 11-3 and earned first place in their district.
In 2010, the assistant coach got his first collegiate job at Texas, serving as a graduate assistant under Manny Diaz, who was the Longhorns’ defensive coordinator at the time. Baker worked with the linebackers and defensive backs, two position groups that featured multiple All-Big 12 selections during that span such as Emmanuel Acho and Kenny Vaccaro.
The defensive coordinator was then hired to be the safeties coach for Arkansas State in 2013. In Baker’s lone season in Jonesboro, Arkansas, the Red Wolves ranked No. 3 in the Sun Belt in both scoring defense (26.2 points per game) and pass defense (232.9 yards per game). Arkansas State ended up becoming co-champions in the Sun Belt Conference with Louisiana-Lafayette.
During his time at Arkansas State, Baker was able to develop a relationship with Drinkwitz as they were both on the coaching staff together. Drinkwitz was serving as the co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach for the Red Wolves at the time.
In 2014, Baker made his way to Ruston, Louisiana to be the safeties coach at Louisiana Tech and once again work under Diaz. After one season, Diaz accepted the defensive coordinator position at Mississippi State, leading to Baker being promoted to defensive coordinator.
In five years at Louisiana Tech, Baker saw two Conference USA Western Division titles and five bowl victories including wins in the Armed Forces Bowl and the Frisco Bowl.
In 2015, Baker’s defense at Louisiana Tech led Conference USA in rush defense and finished second in the conference in total defense. The Bulldogs also ranked third in Conference USA in rush defense in 2016.
Baker’s best year at Louisiana Tech came in 2018 when the Bulldogs ranked No. 4 in the nation in sacks per game, No. 12 in tackles for loss and No. 33 in turnovers gained.
After his stint with the Bulldogs, the defensive coordinator accepted a job in the same position with Miami in 2019. In his first year with the Hurricanes, Baker oversaw a defense that ranked No. 13 nationally in total defense and No. 12 in the nation in yards allowed per play. The 2019 Miami defense also ranked among the top 20 nationally in rush defense (No. 10), red zone defense (No. 16) and pass defense (No. 18).
Michael Pinckney and Shaq Quarterman are two linebackers from Baker’s 2019 defense that earned All-ACC recognition. Quarterman was later selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Baker was hired by former LSU coach Ed Orgeron in 2021 to be the linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator for the Tigers. In the assistant coach’s only season with LSU, the Tigers went 6-6 in the regular season, resulting in Orgeron’s dismissal. Baker was not retained by new LSU head coach Brian Kelly.
The assistant coach’s success in the past and experience in the league is what ultimately led Drinkwitz to the decision to promote Baker to the defensive coordinator position.
“Blake has experience calling defense, experience in this league and experience putting it together,” Drinkwitz said. “I look forward to a collaborative effort to improve our defense.”
When it comes to improving the defense, Baker wants his scheme to be about using his players strengths and getting the matchups they want on the field.
“It’s all about the defensive coordinator fitting the scheme to their personnel,” Baker said. “We have to play to our strengths and try to get the best matchups that we can on the field.”
Ty’Ron Hopper, Trajan Jeffcoat and Kris Abrams-Draine will be some of the leaders for the Missouri defense in Baker’s first season with the Tigers.
Baker’s defense will face many tough obstacles in his first season with Missouri. The Tigers defense will have to face multiple talented offenses such as Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas. The defensive coordinator will look to have his defense ready as they aim to be competitive in the SEC.
Missouri will kick off their season against Baker’s old team, Louisiana Tech, on Thursday Sept. 1 at 7:00 p.m. CT.
