Mizzou hires Blake Baker to coach safeties, reuniting him with Eli Drinkwitz

Chris Kwiecinski, Columbia Daily Tribune
·2 min read
Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Blake Baker talks to his players during a game against Florida State on Nov. 2, 2019, at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla.
Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Blake Baker talks to his players during a game against Florida State on Nov. 2, 2019, at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla.
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Missouri football on Thursday formally announced the hire of Blake Baker as its new safeties coach.

Baker comes to Columbia from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he coached LSU's linebackers during the 2021 season. Baker was also previously the defensive coordinator at Miami and Louisiana Tech.

Baker fills the vacancy on Missouri's staff after safeties coach Charlie Harbison stepped away from his full-time coaching role to focus on health concerns within his family.

Baker and Drinkwitz overlapped for the 2013 season at Arkansas State, where Drinkwitz was the Red Wolves' offensive coordinator and Baker was the safeties coach.

More: Mizzou football assistant Charlie Harbison stepping away from full-time coaching role

“I’m thankful and honored to contribute to the culture Coach Drinkwitz is building here at Missouri,” Baker wrote in a statement. “My family and I are excited to be in Columbia, and we look forward to getting to know our staff and student-athletes.”

With Baker and Drinkwitz on staff in 2013, Arkansas State won the Sun Belt Conference co-championship and beat Ball State in the GoDaddy Bowl.

During the 2013 season, the Red Wolves ranked third in the Sun Belt in scoring defense and pass defense, allowing 26.2 points per game and 232.9 passing yards per game, respectively.

In his lone season at LSU, Baker coached linebacker Damone Clark, who recorded 135 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Clark earned 2021 second-team All-SEC honors and was as Dick Butkus Award Finalist.

Baker now moves to coach safeties at Missouri, where he'll have a chance to coach experienced starters in Martez Manuel and JC Carlies. Manuel led the team in tackles in 2021, while Carlies led MU with four interceptions.

“I’m pleased to welcome Coach Baker and his family to our program,” Drinkwitz wrote in a statement. “Blake brings immense experience coaching defense. He’s a valuable addition to our program.”

Chris Kwiecinski is the sports editor for the Columbia Daily Tribune, overseeing University of Missouri and Boone County sports coverage. Follow him on Twitter @OchoK_ and contact him at CKwiecinsk@gannett.com or 435-414-3261.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Mizzou hires Blake Baker to football coaching staff