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Late afternoon yesterday, Miami made the hire of former Louisiana Tech defensive coordinator, Blake Baker, official. Baker comes to Miami after four seasons at La Tech.
#WelcomeToTheU, @BlakeWBaker. Miami Hurricanes announce Blake Baker as new Defensive Coordinator, detail defensive coaching assignments as well. #Canes #TheU https://t.co/fYw0F55bmX pic.twitter.com/w26JO0rvYs
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) January 7, 2019
In 2018, Bakers defense:
- Ranked 12th in tackles for loss,
- Ranked 11th in sacks per game
- Forced 22 turnovers
- Allowed under 200 passing yards per game
- And featured Jaylon Ferguson, the nations leader in sacks with 17.5.
If you're curious about how that shuffles the defensive room, Baker is defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. Ephraim Banda is co-defensive coordinator and safety's coach. Jonathan Patke is coaching outside linebackers and special teams. Jess Simpson is still associate head coach and the defensive lines coach. Mike Rumph will continue to be just the corners coach.
But what's next? What is the hold up to announce the offensive staff? Miami has been without an offensive coach for eight days now. Canesinsight has said that the offensive coordinator position belongs to Major Applewhite. Josh White has doubled down on that claim with this tweet last night:
Former Houston HC Major Applewhite is expected to be named Hurricanes' offensive coordinator, per sources. The news was first reported by @CanesInSight. Expect an official announcement Tuesday or Wednesday.
— Josh White (@_JoshRWhite) January 7, 2019
Diaz chimed in calling it “silly season” when the reports came out, but I have a feeling this might actually be our guy. Hopefully we get some clarification soon.
If it’s not Applewhite, I am wondering if the hold up could be because our guy was on either sideline during last nights national championship game. Clemson’s co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Jeff Scott has been a name thrown around. Dan Enos is the quarterback coach and associate head coach at Alabama and could potentially be looking for an opportunity to call plays somewhere. Miami sounds like a fantastic place to do that at.
However, I’m not sure how big of a promotion it would be to go from his position as associate head coach and quarterback coach to simply an offensive coordinator. Especially since Nick Saban is his boss. I highly doubt he is our guy.
Poaching guys away from championship caliber programs does sound like a quality way to build up this offense and this whole situation in general. The Hurricanes need a guy who knows what it takes to win.
But, at least for now, we still have a lot of questions that need to be answered.