BATON ROUGE, LA - March 05: Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker (L) and Head Coach Brian Kelly (R) of the LSU Tigers talk during spring practice on March 5, 2024 at the LSU Indoor Practice Facility in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Gus Stark/LSU/University Images via Getty Images)
Announcement: Brian Kelly reveals what Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker say in Locker Room that Leaves Players Disorganized Against South Carolina
LSU head coach Brian Kelly expressed his frustration with defensive coordinator Blake Baker following an incident in the locker room that left the players disorganized during their recent game against South Carolina. The Tigers, who were heavy favorites going into the game, struggled defensively and ultimately failed to meet expectations, narrowly escaping with a win.
The incident reportedly occurred during halftime, when tensions flared among defensive players over blown assignments and lack of communication in the first half. According to inside sources, the locker room became chaotic as players voiced their frustrations with the defensive game plan. Baker, who has been with the team since 2022, was reportedly unable to regain control of the situation, leaving the defense disorganized for much of the second half.
Kelly addressed the issue in his post-game press conference, making it clear that the situation was unacceptable and that he expected better communication and leadership from his coaching staff. “We didn’t play like a cohesive unit out there, especially on defense,” Kelly said. “There were moments where it felt like our guys weren’t on the same page, and that’s something that falls on us as coaches. It’s our job to make sure the team is prepared and that they’re executing the game plan.”
While Kelly did not explicitly name Baker in his criticism, the defensive coordinator’s role in the team’s struggles was evident. LSU’s defense, which had been inconsistent throughout the season, gave up several key plays to South Carolina’s offense, including multiple third-down conversions that kept the Tigers on their heels.
Sources close to the program suggest that Kelly is growing increasingly frustrated with the defense’s performance and the lack of discipline displayed in the locker room. Baker, who has a solid reputation as a defensive strategist, now finds himself under scrutiny as the Tigers look to tighten up their defensive unit for the remainder of the season.
As LSU prepares for its next game, all eyes will be on how the team responds, both on the field and in the locker room. For now, the Tigers’ defense has much to prove, and Kelly’s expectations are higher than ever.
