LSU football is a pressure cooker. It’s not just about winning games in Baton Rouge; it’s about how you win them, who you beat, and how much swagger you bring to Death Valley. When Brian Kelly arrived from Notre Dame, the culture shift was immediate, but the results on one side of the ball have been, well, let's just say "concerning." Fans aren't just looking for a new coach for LSU football in terms of the head man—they are looking for the right lieutenants to stop the bleeding on a defense that has looked like a sieve lately.
The search for the right defensive leadership has been the dominant storyline of the last year. Honestly, if you watched any of the 2023 season, you know why. Jayden Daniels was playing video game football on offense, but the defense was giving up yards like they were handing out free samples at a grocery store. It was painful.
The Blake Baker Era: Why This Move Changed Everything
When LSU brought back Blake Baker to be the defensive coordinator, it wasn't just another hire. It was a statement. Baker, who had previously been on the staff under Ed Orgeron before heading to Missouri, came back with a reputation for being aggressive, multiple, and—most importantly—capable of teaching tackling.
Remember the 2023 game against Ole Miss? LSU scored 49 points and lost. That’s unacceptable in the SEC. You can’t ask an offense to put up 50 every week just to have a puncher’s chance. Baker’s arrival was the specific "new coach" hire that fans demanded because his Missouri defenses were known for being disciplined and violent. He wasn't just a name on a resume; he was the guy who had just finished turning a middle-of-the-pack Mizzou unit into one of the most feared groups in the conference.
Breaking Down the Scheme Shift
The biggest gripe under the previous regime was the "bend but don't break" philosophy that mostly just ended up breaking. A lot. Baker’s philosophy is different. He wants to dictate terms. He uses a 4-2-5 base but he’s incredibly creative with how he uses the "Star" position—that hybrid linebacker/safety role that is so critical in modern college football.
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- Pressure from the edges: It’s not just about blitzing; it’s about simulated pressures that confuse the quarterback’s read.
- Physicality at the point of attack: You’ll see the defensive line playing much more "gap sound" than in previous years.
- Simple communication: One of the biggest issues in 2023 was guys looking at the sidelines while the ball was being snapped. Baker has cut the fat out of the playbook to let the athletes actually play.
The Recruiting Ripple Effect
You can't talk about a new coach for LSU football without talking about the trail. Recruiting in Louisiana is a different beast. You have to "wall off the state." When Brian Kelly overhauled the defensive staff, including bringing in Bo Davis for the defensive line, the recruiting world took notice.
Bo Davis is a legend. Period. His work at Alabama and Texas speaks for itself. Getting him back to his alma mater was arguably the biggest win of the offseason. High school coaches in New Orleans and North Louisiana respect him. When Bo Davis walks into a living room, the conversation changes. He’s not selling a dream; he’s selling a direct pipeline to the NFL.
This matters because LSU’s defensive line play had dipped. They weren't getting that consistent push that defined the 2011 or 2019 teams. With Davis in the fold, the Tigers have started landing the big-bodied interior defenders that are required to survive the SEC grind. It's a slow build, but the foundation is finally being poured correctly.
Addressing the Secondary Struggles
Corey Raymond's return was the third piece of the puzzle. If you’re an LSU fan, you know "DBU" isn't just a catchphrase—it’s an expectation. But for a few years there, the secondary was the weakest link. Raymond is the architect of the modern DBU era. Having him back coaching the corners means the technique is being corrected at the source.
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We saw too many blown coverages where the safety and the corner weren't on the same page. That’s usually a coaching issue, not a talent issue. Raymond brings a level of technical detail that was sorely missing. He’s picky. He’s loud. He’s exactly what those young blue-chip recruits need to hear.
Is Brian Kelly’s "Process" Actually Working?
People love to joke about Kelly’s accent or his dance moves in recruiting videos, but the man wins. He is the winningest active coach in college football for a reason. But at LSU, the "process" is under a microscope because the expectations are national championships, not just 10-win seasons.
The decision to fire almost the entire defensive staff after the 2023 season was a "burn the boats" moment. It showed that Kelly isn't married to his initial hires if they aren't performing. That kind of ruthlessness is what Nick Saban used to maintain dominance for two decades. You have to be willing to evolve.
The new coach for LSU football narrative isn't just about one person—it’s about a total systemic reboot of the defensive identity. Kelly realized he had a Ferrari on offense and a flat tire on defense. He’s spent the last year trying to fix that tire.
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The Reality of the SEC Landscape
The SEC is getting harder. Texas and Oklahoma are in the mix now. There are no "off" weeks. If the new defensive staff can't get this unit into the top 30 nationally, LSU will continue to be a "what if" team.
The talent is there. Harold Perkins Jr. is a generational athlete, but he was misused for much of the 2023 campaign. Watching how Baker utilizes Perkins is the litmus test for this entire coaching staff. If Perkins is roaming free and causing havoc, the "new coach" hires were a success. If he’s stuck in a role that doesn't fit his skill set, the seat under the defensive staff will get warm fast.
What Most People Get Wrong About LSU’s Coaching Changes
A lot of national pundits think LSU just needs "more stars." That’s not it. LSU has the stars. What they lacked was a cohesive plan that translated from the film room to the field.
- Complexity vs. Execution: The previous defense was often cited as being "too NFL-style" for college kids to process in a split second. Baker’s approach is about speed.
- The Transfer Portal Trap: LSU relied heavily on the portal for defensive backs recently. It was a band-aid. The new staff is shifting back to a "recruit and develop" model, which is more sustainable.
- The "LSU Way": There is a certain brand of "arrogant" defense that LSU plays when they are at their best. It’s about intimidation. The new coaches understand that psychology better than the previous group did.
Actionable Insights for the Season Ahead
If you’re tracking the progress of these coaching changes, don't just look at the scoreboard. Look at the "little things" that indicate a well-coached team:
- Substitution Patterns: Are players getting on and off the field without chaos? This was a major issue in the past.
- Third-Down Efficiency: Baker’s Missouri teams were elite on third down. Watch for LSU to use more exotic looks in these situations.
- Tackling in Space: This is the simplest metric. Does the first defender make the play, or are they sliding off the ball carrier?
- Red Zone Stand-offs: Look for a shift from "prevent" defense to aggressive "man-to-man" coverage when the field shrinks.
The trajectory of the program depends entirely on this defensive overhaul. The offense will always be explosive under Kelly, but championships are won by the guys who can get a stop in the fourth quarter. The "new coach" era at LSU isn't just a fresh start—it's a desperate necessity to get back to the top of the mountain.
To truly understand the impact of these hires, keep a close eye on the early-season defensive rotations and the turnover margin. Success isn't just about stopping the opponent; it's about taking the ball away. If Baker can instill that "ball-hawk" mentality back into the Purple and Gold, the rest of the SEC has a major problem on its hands. Track the defensive stats on the official LSU Sports site and pay attention to post-game press conferences where Baker discusses "assignment sound" football—it's the clearest indicator of whether the message is sinking in.