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Blake Baker’s time as Missouri football’s defensive coordinator — one that not so long ago looked to have become extended and more lucrative — is over.
The defensive play-caller who led Missouri from the 106th-ranked unit in total defense in the FBS to Nos. 33 and 34 in 2022 and 2023, respectively, will take the same role at LSU, a team spokesperson confirmed to the Columbia Daily Tribune on Friday. LSU announced Baker’s hire late Friday night.
On Dec. 23 — just two weeks ago — Missouri announced Baker had signed a contract extension along with offensive coordinator Kirby Moore. Despite a public records request submitted by the Columbia Daily Tribune, no details were ever returned about Baker’s extension.
Under his previous deal, which was an amendment to his original contract and signed in November 2022, Baker would owe the university $800,000 for terminating his contract between Dec. 21, 2023, and Dec. 18, 2024.
It is unclear if his new contract ever went into effect. In the event that it did, it is unknown what Baker now owes the university in liquidated damages.
Under his previous deal, he was set to earn $1,400,000 in 2024.
LSU is set to make Baker the highest-paid assistant in the nation at $2,500,000 per year, according to multiple reports.
In his previous contract, Baker would have avoided paying liquidated damages if he accepted a head coaching position in college or professionally; took a defensive coordinator or assistant coach position at a professional organization; or if Eli Drinkwitz was no longer the Missouri coach.
Drinkwitz was extended through 2028 on Monday.
Baker graduated from Tulane and coached linebackers at LSU in 2021. His wife is a former LSU soccer player.
Baker’s exit for Baton Rouge is a speedbump in what has been a period of tremendous momentum for Missouri.
The Tigers won the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/lsu-set-dc-blake-baker-040007932.html
Author : USA TODAY Sports
Publish date : 2024-01-06 04:00:07
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