In a move that's sure to spark debate among college football fans, Blake Baker has decided to stay put at LSU as defensive coordinator, despite being a top contender for head coaching roles at Tulane and Memphis. But here's where it gets controversial: is Baker's decision a sign of loyalty, or a strategic move to secure an even bigger payday? ESPN's Adam Rittenberg broke the news on Friday, revealing that LSU head coach Lane Kiffin made retaining Baker a top priority, and it's easy to see why. Under Baker's leadership, the Tigers' defense has been nothing short of impressive, ranking 15th in scoring defense and 25th nationally in total defense this season. And this is the part most people miss: Baker's impact extends beyond the field. His retention comes on the heels of LSU signing ESPN's No. 1 overall recruit, defensive tackle Lamar Brown, as well as top-100 recruits Deuce Geralds and Richard Anderson. At 43, Baker is no stranger to the coaching circuit, having served as a coordinator at Louisiana Tech, Miami, and Missouri, in addition to his previous stint at LSU as linebackers coach in 2021. With a current salary of $2.5 million, Baker is already one of the nation's highest-paid assistants, but he's expected to receive a revised contract and a raise. Is this a fair reward for his contributions, or an excessive investment in a single assistant coach? As LSU fans celebrate this victory, it's worth asking: what does Baker's decision mean for the future of the program, and could this be the start of a new era of dominance for the Tigers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments – do you think Baker made the right call, or should he have taken the leap to become a head coach?
