Sloan and Baker Will Face Off on Saturday

Kentucky offensive coordinator Joe Sloan and LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker prepare for their meeting.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Football

Sloan and Baker Will Face Off on Saturday

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Do personal ties between opposing coaches significantly affect the outcome of a game?

Kentucky offensive coordinator Joe Sloan will match wits against LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker this Saturday at Kroger Field. The two coaches share a history as former colleagues at Louisiana Tech.

Why it matters

This matchup highlights the professional evolution of two coaches who worked together for over 15 years and now lead units at major programs. Their familiarity with one another's systems adds a unique strategic layer to the game in Lexington.

Kentucky enters the game averaging 34.6 points per game and ranks within the Top 20 nationally in success rate. LSU will be without linebacker Whit Weeks for the matchup.

The players

Joe Sloan

He is the current offensive coordinator for the University of Kentucky football team.

Blake Baker

He currently serves as the defensive coordinator for the Louisiana State University football team.

Brian Kelly

He is the head coach of the Louisiana State University football team who previously employed Joe Sloan.

Jake Nawrot

He is a highly-rated quarterback recruit who was brought to Kentucky by Joe Sloan.

Whit Weeks

He is a linebacker for the Louisiana State University team who will miss the upcoming game.

The details

Joe Sloan, who previously coached at LSU under Brian Kelly, now heads the Kentucky offense and successfully recruited quarterback Jake Nawrot, who holds a No. 2 national ranking. Blake Baker currently leads the LSU defense as both coaches rely on extensive game tape analysis to prepare for the clash at Kroger Field.

2013 marked the year Joe Sloan was hired at Louisiana Tech.
2019 saw the Louisiana Tech staff achieve a 10-win season.
2024 was when Joe Sloan was promoted to offensive coordinator at LSU.
Saturday is the scheduled date for the game at Kroger Field.

Season Trajectory

This game pits two former colleagues against each other, serving as a tactical bellwether for their respective programs' development this season. The result will influence the standing of Kentucky and LSU as they navigate the competitive SEC schedule.

Kentucky must leverage its top-20 success rate to overcome the absence of key defensive depth for LSU. Fans should watch for how Sloan's recruiting success with Jake Nawrot impacts the offensive tempo during the game.

The takeaway

The game provides a case study in how coaching tree dynamics and shared history translate into on-field strategy. Fans can observe how long-standing professional relationships influence play-calling decisions in high-stakes environments.