LSU gains a “steal” with Blake Baker as new linebacker coach

Blake Baker has been hailed as a rising talent in coaching. At 38 years old, he has worked up the ladder quickly in the college ranks.

After working from 2010-’12 at Texas as a graduate assistant, he went to Arkansas State as safeties coach. One year later in 2014, he became La. Tech’s safeties coach before being named defensive coordinator and linebackers. He then landed at Miami to handle the same two roles.

The Houston, Texas native will be assigned to improve the linebacking corps for the Tigers for 2021.

After a stellar football career at Clearlake High School, the 5-foot-10, 236 pounder was named district defensive MVP and second team All District on offense. He lined up at linebacker, defensive tackle and fullback.

Baker continued his football career at Tulane where he earned a Bachelor’s degree. He played for the Green Wave from 2000-’04 under head coach Chris Scelfo and defensive coordinator Eric Shuman.

Wearing jersey #46, Baker completed his career on Willow Street with 145 tackles with 14 for loss and six sacks in 42 games, 13 as a starter.

Baker shared the locker room at Tulane with local talent such as linebacker Anthony Cannon, cornerback Sean Lucas, center Michael Parenton, tackle Troy Kropog, running back Matt Forte and LSU transfer quarterback Lester Ricard.

Now the head coach at Scotlandville, Ricard fondly recalls his Wave teammate from 2003-’05.

“LSU got themselves a steal,” an exuberant Ricard said. “I loved playing with him. He was one of my favorite all-time best teammates. He was always a joy to be around. He gave you 110%. This touches my heart. Blake was a very smart player. A rah-rah guy as a player. He’s no different now. He never has a bad day. He’s very much about relationships and family. He is a huge family guy.”

In 2004, the Green Wave traveled to Starkville to face Mississippi State. After sitting out 2003 as a transfer, Ricard was starting his first game for Tulane. The Bulldogs prevailed 28-7. The Wave beat Florida A&M, 39-19, but fell to Southern Miss the following week 32-14. Lester was feeling down at that time.

“I had a trial period,” Ricard recalls. “I was so hard on myself. Blake told me to smile, have fun. He was always so encouraging. A great attitude. Even when we lost, he was always uplifting, always trying to encourage.”

Ricard would go onto to throw for 21 touchdowns with just six interceptions, completing 61.9% in ’04.

During his coaching tenure at Louisiana Tech, Baker helped safeties Kentrell Brice and Xavier Woods, defensive lineman Vernon Butler and end Jaylon Ferguson grow into outstanding players.

Brice, a five-year NFL veteran, proved his worth as an undrafted player with the Packers.  Woods, a  four-year vet, was drafted by the Cowboys in 2016. Butler was the Panthers’ first round pick in ’17. Ferguson, a third round choice for the Ravens in ’19, set an all-time NCAA record with 45 career sacks in 36 games.

Ricard played professionally with the Jaguars and Panthers in the NFL and Edmonton in the CFL.  He has high expectations for his former teammate at LSU. “He should do great things, not just good, but great,” he stressed.

Baker had great success as a recruiter. He is very familiar with the Dallas and Houston areas while close relationships with high school coaches throughout Louisiana built during his time in Ruston can only help him now. “He always loved Louisiana,” Ricard continued. “He loved his time at Louisiana Tech. He has such strong ties. He knows Louisiana.

“He’s going to make a huge difference in recruiting. He’s going to close that gap to Tuscaloosa,” Ricard said with a smile.

Some question why a defensive coordinator at Miami would move to LSU to be a position coach.

“The new defensive coordinator (Daronte Jones) had to sign off,” Ricard said. “Blake looks at this opportunity. A pro coach always looks to get back into the NFL. I could see Blake being groomed to be defensive coordinator if the opportunity ever presented itself.”

For now, a hands-on instructor like Baker will make absolute sure that there are no questions that go unanswered. He is a players’ coach. Baker coaches an aggressive style and holds his players to high standards.

After a 5-5 season in ’20, LSU is expected to return to loftier heights immediately. Baker has high expectations as well.

“He will have them prepared,” Ricard stressed. “He is a detail-oriented guy. If he says six inches, it better not be 5 1/2 inches.”

LSU faithful hope the little things add up to big ones in 2021.