re: If Richard and Pelini are a SmokeScreen, then who might be the Big Name Hire?

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Blake Baker

Current Job: Defensive Coordinator (Miami, Fla.)

Age: 36

Salary: Undisclosed

Why he could get a look: Known for his expertise in coaching linebackers, Baker’s 2019 unit finished No. 13 in the country, allowing only 309 yards a contest.

He landed at Miami after serving as defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech from 2015-18 where his last Bulldog squad was fourth nationally in team sacks (3.46 per game), 12th nationally in team tackles for loss (7.8) and 33rd nationally in turnovers gained with 22.


LSU beat writer for 247 sports has Blake Baker’s name as a candidate for the DC job at LSU?

— Shakey Rodriguez (@HurricanesTalk) January 17, 2020

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Randy Shannon

Current Job: Defensive Coordinator (UCF)

Age: 53

Salary: $300,000

Why he could get a look: Shannon and Ed Orgeron’s relationship goes back to 1988 and Shannon says Orgeron played a hand in getting him into coaching. Shannon has 10 years of experience as a coordinator at the Big 3 in Florida (Florida, Miami and UCF).

Like Orgeron, Shannon also has experience as an interim headman when Jim McElwain was fired at Florida and he has a wealth of experience at coaching linebackers.

Shannon was a linebacker at Miami from 1985-88. Orgeron was a graduate assistant with the Hurricanes in Shannon’s senior year. Orgeron went on to be the Miami defensive line coach from 1988-91 after Shannon graduated. After two years with the Dallas Cowboys, Shannon returned to Miami to succeed Orgeon as the DL coach.

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