Earlier this week, LSU coach Brian Kelly attended the 2024 Senior Bowl to support former Tigers Charles Turner III and Jordan Jefferson as they looked to make an impression ahead of the NFL draft process. During his visit, Kelly spoke to the media, and discussed the hiring of new defensive coordinator Blake Baker, along with several other topics in regard to defense.
LSU coach Brian Kelly heard the negative noise regarding the 2023 Tiger defense
It’s no secret that LSU is looking to make some big moves in regard to their defense ahead of the 2024 college football season. After struggling mightily under former defensive coordinator Matt House, the Tigers have completely revamped their defensive coaching staff and in turn, will welcome in an entirely new philosophy.
Since stepping on campus in Baton Rouge, the former Notre Dame head coach explained that he plans on building a championship caliber team.
Not only does that include the players on roster, but also the coaches on staff. This past season was an excellent example, as the players were undoubtedly talented, but for whatever reason, it never seemed to take shape the way many had hoped.
Naturally, fans made their opinions well-known throughout the season. It was hard to see the defense continuously struggle, and LSU coach Brian Kelly was very much aware of the feedback the fanbase was handing out.
“Now, if we get positive feedback on the other end too, that’s certainly a great thing as well,” the Tiger head coach said about the hiring process. “Now, make no mistake about it, when we’re doing our vetting process and finding coaches, we’re taking everything into consideration.
“We’re listening to all forms of social media, we’re listening to the reports that we hear and we’re doing a deep dive on everything. So, if there’s lots of negative noise out there, we hear it. Doesn’t mean it’s gonna influence that final decision, but we’re listening to everything. Everything that came up on the staff members that we’ve hired has been very, very positive.”
Among the 2024 new addition coaches are defensive line coach Bo Davis, edge rushers coach Kevin Peoples, secondary coach Corey Raymond and safeties coach Jake Olsen. However, the most important hire may have been defensive coordinator Blake Baker who will now be in charge of turning around an abysmal defense as quickly as possible.
Defensive coordinator Blake Baker looking
In addition to discussing what the hiring process looked like, he spent some time discussing each of his new hires on the defensive side of the ball. When asked about defensive coordinator Blake Baker, it was safe to say he felt pretty good about the direction things are moving.
“I was impressed with him and then obviously, the work that he did at Missouri – as an SEC opponent – we got a chance to see him first hand. Was impressed with his work, his ability to recruit and then the relationships that he built at LSU when he was at LSU made him a logical choice.”
Prior to his stint with the Missouri Tigers, Baker was previously in Baton Rouge as a part of the 2021 coaching staff. At the time, he was primarily in charge of linebackers, which he will continue to work with this coming season.
While there’s plenty of work left to do moving forward, there’s little doubt that Baker and the rest of the Tiger defensive coaches have things moving in a very positive direction for the 2024 LSU defense.
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