LSU has hired Missouri defensive coordinator Blake Baker for the same role in Baton Rouge.

Baker helped lead Mizzou to its first 11-win season since 2014 this fall. He’s been a pivotal part of the Tigers’ rebuild under coach Eli Drinkwitz. The hire was announced by LSU on Friday evening:

According to Yahoo!’s Ross Dellenger, LSU is expected to make Baker the highest-paid assistant coach in college football for 2024. Per the report, Baker’s salary is expected to be $2.2 million for the upcoming season.

Baker was previously reported as a leading candidate for this opening by 247Sports.

LSU is hiring a replacement for Matt House, who departed the program along with multiple other defensive assistants earlier this week. LSU coach Brian Kelly has decided to overhaul his defensive coaching staff after a disappointing season on that end of the ball in 2023.

Baker spent the 2 seasons with Mizzou. Previously he was LSU’s linebackers coach for the 2021 season. He also also served as defensive coordinator at Miami and Louisiana Tech during his coaching career.

Baker, 41, played at Tulane before getting into the coaching profession. He’s a native of Houston, Texas.