Blake Baker praises LSU football safeties coach Jake Olsen

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LSU football retained almost its entire defensive staff from 2025 despite the start of head coach Lane Kiffin's tenure at the helm. Defensive coordinator Blake Baker stayed to continue improving a unit he built up as one of the SEC's best as did safeties coach Jake Olsen, who Baker spoke highly of.

"There's not a harder working dude in the business than Jake Olsen," Baker said. "The guy's the first one in here every day, the last one to leave. We just have good rapport. He is going to, even if he doesn't necessarily believe it 100%, whatever I say he's going to go sell into the safety room like it's the best thing since sliced bread."

Olsen and Baker first linked up in Baton Rouge in 2021 when Baker led the linebackers with Olsen as an analyst. When Baker departed for the defensive coordinator position at Missouri, Olsen went with him as the linebackers coach. The pair returned to LSU for the positions they currently hold.

Olsen's tutelage led A.J. Haulcy to earn All-American honors and a third round selection by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2026 NFL Draft. Last year's safeties unit helped LSU finish as the SEC leader in red zone defense and third in pass efficiency defense. It was the only team to finish with more interceptions than passing touchdowns.

Dashawn Spears made a start as a true freshman in 2024 under Olsen and remains with the Tigers in 2026. The junior returns alongside Tamarcus Cooley and they'll be joined by senior transfer Ty Benefield from Boise State.

Olsen plays major part of LSU's resurgence on defense by overseeing a mix of players he developed in Baton Rouge along with proven talent from the portal. He received praise from Baker about his ever-growing flow of ideas to make the Tigers better.

"This year, he's done a really, really good job picking my brain on how we call certain situations and stuff, so he's very proactive in how he approaches his career and what I mean by that, he's got a growth mindset," Baker said. "He's done a hell of a job."

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Blake Baker praises LSU football safeties coach Jake Olsen

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