Eli Drinkwitz sends heartfelt message to Blake Baker after taking LSU defensive coordinator job

On Friday, news broke that LSU was expected to hire Missouri defensive coordinator Blake Baker to serve the same role for its program. Only hours later, Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz posted a heartfelt goodbye to Baker on social media.

“Thank you, Blake for all you did for [Missouri Football],” Drinkwitz wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Your help in all we’ve accomplished cannot be DENIED! I enjoyed every minute of our journey together – but it’s time for you to go on a new path- Gods Speed! I wish you well!”

Baker will replace Matt House, who LSU parted ways with earlier this week following a disappointing defensive showing in the 2023 campaign.

Baker emerged as a top candidate for the LSU opening on Thursday after helping Missouri put together an impressive 2023 season. The Tigers ranked No. 5 in the SEC in total defense, holding teams to 336.1 yards per game.

LSU, meanwhile, allowed 416.6 yards per game, which ranked 13th in the SEC, and gave up 35 points five times in 13 games. That ultimately led Kelly to part ways with House on Wednesday, and he now has his replacement in the plans.

It’s a return to Baton Rouge for Blake Baker, who was previously on Ed Orgeron’s staff as linebackers coach in 2021 before joining forces with Drinkwitz at Missouri. He started his coaching career in 2009 at the high school level, but latched on at Texas as a graduate assistant from 2010-12. He then became the safeties coach at Arkansas State in 2013 and took the same role at Louisiana Tech in 2014.

In 2015, Louisiana Tech promoted Baker to defensive coordinator, and he stayed in that role until 2018 when he left to become the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at Miami. After two years there, he made his way to LSU as linebackers coach under Orgeron, and eventually headed to Columbia in 2021.

Blake Baker set to make historical money

LSU is set to give Baker a three-year contract worth $2.5 million per year, Thamel reported — an increase from the $2 million salary he was going to get from Missouri as part of a new contract extension. For comparison, Baker made $1.4 million as part of his previous deal with Mizzou, according to the On3 Coach Salaries Index.

By getting Baker to leave Missouri, LSU will pay his $950,000 buyout, according to The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander.

Baker will now surpass Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles as the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the country and Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley as the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the nation. Knowles’ annual salary is $1.957 million at Ohio State while Riley makes $2.05 million at Clemson.

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this article.