LSU football: Ed Orgeron trying to poach ACC defensive coordinator

LSU football head coach Ed Orgeron is seeking to add an ACC defensive coordinator to solidify his defensive staff for the 2021 season

Just one week after welcoming Daronte Jones as LSU football’s new defensive coordinator, head coach Ed Orgeron is seeking to add current Miami defensive coordinator Blake Baker to his defensive staff, first reported by FootballScoop.com.

It is likely that Baker is being pursued for a possible co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coaching role for the Tigers.

Baker has served as Miami’s defensive coordinator for the past two seasons under head coach Manny Diaz.

Blake Baker would solidify the LSU coaching staff

This offseason, Diaz announced that he would take over the play-calling duties on defense after his team had a lackluster 2020 season. Miami’s defense allowed 408 yards per game and ranked 51st in the country in scoring defense, enabling their opponents to score an average of 27 points per game.

Miami’s defensive struggles were on full display in perhaps their most important game of the 2020 season where they suffered a 62-26 blowout loss to North Carolina at Hard Rock Stadium. The Hurricanes allowed a whopping 778 yards of total offense, 554 of the yards coming from the ground.

In his first season with the Hurricanes, Baker coordinated a defense that ranked No. 13 nationally in total defense (yards allowed per game) and No. 12 nationally in yards per play allowed.

Miami’s defensive staff has been re-addressed during the offseason with Diaz hiring three new defensive assistants for the 2021 season.

The 2021 Miami defense will feature talented returnees such as tackle Nesta Jade Silvera and defensive back  Bubba Bolden but will be without key contributors such as pass rushers Gregory Rosseau, Quincy Roche and Jaelan Phillips.

If Baker were to leave Miami for LSU, Diaz will be left with just one defensive assistant that was a member of his coaching staff from last season.

Prior to his two seasons with the Hurricanes, Baker served as the defensive coordinator for Louisiana Tech for four seasons. During his tenure at Louisiana Tech, the Bulldogs defense ranked among the nation’s best in several categories. In 2018, Louisiana Tech was fourth nationally in team sacks (3.46 per game), 12th nationally in team tackles for loss (7.8), and 33rd nationally in turnovers gained (22).

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.