LSU Coach Interviews for Memphis Job

By Jordan SiglerShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

While part of his former staff is getting ready to lead No. 6 Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff, new KSU head coach Lane Kiffin is trying to fill out his staff for the 2026 season.

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On Tuesday, the Tigers announced offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. will be allowed to coach the Rebels in the CFP before going full-time with LSU. Kiffin intends to retain Blake Baker as the program's defensive coordinator, but he's gaining interest from multiple Group of 5 schools.

Despite having questions about the staff for 2026, Kiffin had an impressive showing for the early signing period on Wednesday. Per 247 Sports, LSU is ranked No. 12, landing 16 total recruits and two five-star players.

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Per Garland Gillen of WVUE-TV, Baker interviewed for the open Memphis gig.

"Sources tell me LSU DC Blake Baker interviewed for the Memphis head coaching job," Gillen posted on X. "I reported on Monday, LSU DC Blake Baker interviewed for the head coach opening at Tulane. The former Green Wave player is one of the names to keep an eye on for the job Uptown."

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The Memphis job opened on Sunday when Arkansas hired Ryan Silverfield.

Baker's LSU defense finished the campaign ranked 25th in total defense amid a 7-5 season.

Baker, 43, is a native of Houston, Texas, who played linebacker at Tulane from 2000 to 2004.

Baker began his coaching career as a wide receivers coach for Clear Springs High School. He served as a graduate assistant for Texas from 2010 to 2012. He served as a safeties coach for Arkansas State in 2013 and had the same title for Louisiana Tech in 2014.

Baker was promoted to defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Bulldogs in 2015. He became the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach for Miami in 2019.

Baker joined LSU as a linebackers coach in 2021 before taking the defensive coordinator and safeties job at Missouri in 2022. He rejoined former LSU head coach Brian Kelly in 2024.

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