Outgoing LSU linebackers coach issues farewell message

On Saturday, LSU linebackers coach Blake Baker issued a goodbye message to the Tigers community, confirming earlier reports he would not be retained on new head coach Brian Kelly’s staff.

“Forever grateful for our time here in Baton Rouge,” Baker tweeted on Saturday. “The opportunity to coach here was a dream come true. LSU will always be a special place for me and my family for so many reasons. We can’t say ‘thank you’ enough to all the people that played a part in making our experience such a memorable one. To the guys in the locker room, I will always cherish and appreciate the relationship we have built. Saying goodbye to y’all is the hardest.”

The Texas native and former Tulane linebacker added a tweet with photos from his time with the team and his family in Baton Rouge.

pic.twitter.com/Wij3RKPlhA

— Blake Baker (@CoachBlakeBaker) December 18, 2021

Jacques Doucet of WAFB 9 Sports in Baton Rouge reported the move earlier on Saturday. Baker was with LSU for just one season, and he previously served as the defensive coordinator at Miami from 2019 to 2020 and in the same role at Louisiana Tech from 2015 to 2018. He started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Texas.

The Tigers signed one linebacker on Early Signing Day, DeMario Tolan from outside of Orlando. The four-star prospect had a close relationship with Baker, making the rumored move surprising.

Myles Brennan to return to Baton Rouge

LSU quarterback Myles Brennan did not play this season after suffering a compound fracture in his non-throwing arm just before the season in a freak fishing accident. He entered the NCAA Transfer Portal on Nov. 3.

But after exploring his options, Brennan has decided to remove his name from the portal and will instead return to LSU for another season. It will be his final season of eligibility.

It is unknown who will start in LSU’s bowl game against Kansas State, although news on Friday indicates it will be true freshman Garrett Nussmeier. He is the only other scholarship quarterback on the roster, and if he plays in the game, he could lose a year of eligibility.

Brennan said on Friday he will not play in the Texas Bowl on Jan. 4, as he has not played in months while recovering from the injury.

So, LSU interim head coach Brad Davis said they are working with the NCAA to try to determine a way for Nussmeier to play without burning his redshirt.

On3’s Jonathan Wagner contributed to this report.