RUSTON -- As the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs prepare for action in this weekend's SoFi Hawaii Bowl, defensive coordinator Blake Baker returns to the islands for game action for the first time since his playing days at Tulane.
 
Sixteen years ago, Baker was a part of the Green Wave's 36-28 triumph over Hawaii in the postseason game.
 
While his role in football and in life has changed since that time, his intensity and desire to compete has not. Baker heads up a stingy defensive unit that has held its opponents to 23.8 points per game in 2018, the lowest mark by a LA Tech defense since the 2011 season (23.2).
 
Baker said he relishes the opportunity to return to the place where he earned his first bowl victory; a place where he also has family ties.
 
"It's really surreal going back," said Baker. "The craziest part about it was when I played 16 years ago, my sister went out to watch me. She was still undecided about where to go to school and ended up loving it and attending school out there. She went there for four years, met a local guy and married him, and she's been out there ever since. So I'm going to have to get some tickets for her and her family for sure."
 
Baker said although there is a significant difference from competing in the bowl game as a player compared to that of a coach, the feeling of anticipation and excitement remains the same.
 
"It will obviously be different being in the coaches' chair as opposed to being a player," he said. "We were fortunate to win that game when I played, which is always a memorable experience for me. This time will be a little different, but it'll still be fun to go out there and compete."
 
When his college playing days ended, Baker knew he had a passion for coaching. He began at the high school ranks coaching wide receivers at Clear Springs High School before joining Manny Diaz's defense as a graduate assistant at Texas for three years (2010-12). Baker coached safeties at both Arkansas State (2013) and LA Tech (2014) before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2015.
 
"The one thing I always enjoyed as a player was figuring out the ins and outs of what an offense was trying to do to us on any given night," Baker said. "I always thought in the back of my mind that I'd love to coach one day, because I always looked up to my coaches. Ever since my high school days, I've been mentored and really looked up to all those guys who helped coach me throughout the years."
 
While analyzing and studying his mentors and counterparts, Baker has been a part of each of the Bulldogs' four-consecutive bowl victories (tied with Georgia, Utah and Wisconsin for the nation's longest active bowl winning streak).
 
However, the test looms large for Baker and the Bulldog defense on Saturday, facing a Hawaii offense that ranks ninth nationally in passing offense (321.2) and 40^th in the nation in scoring offense (32.1). While college football offenses have exploded over the past decade, Baker said tackling is the key to getting these potent offenses out of rhythm.
 
"Obviously, in today's game the rules are geared toward scoring points, and that's just the nature of the beast for defensive coordinators all around the country," said Baker. "At the end of the day, it comes down to fundamentals and tackling. They're always trying to get their best players into space. So for me, it starts with tackling. Opposing offenses are always going to seek out the worst tackler and attack that until you make an adjustment.
 
"Although the game has changed significantly over the last 10 years, it still comes down to fundamentals at the end of the day. It's definitely a challenge. Defenses are changing all the time to adapt to what these offenses are doing. Playing more man coverage is certainly becoming more and more of it. It's a challenge, but it is fun."
 
While on-the-field instruction is obviously important in any sound defense, Baker believes that true success begins and ends with personal relationships and mutual trust between student-athletes, coaches and staff.
 
"Every kid that comes in here has a unique story," Baker said. "Not everybody is blessed with growing up in a two-parent household with the white picket fence out front. Anytime I can give back to them and show them what family is all about, I try to take every opportunity to do that. I try to get my wife and kids up here so they can see me be a father and a husband.
 
"Any time you can lead by example is tremendous. To me, that's what coaching is all about – the kids. If you don't have a relationship with your players, then you're going about it all wrong."
 
Redshirt senior defensive end Matthew Ydarraga says he saw Baker's personal nature firsthand – before he ever officially committed to play in Ruston.
 
"He's a player's coach first and foremost," said Ydarraga. "When I first got here, as a walk-on, the very first coach I interacted with was Coach Baker. He sat down with me and went through an entire film session. That meant the world to me. That's one of the main reasons I understood that LA Tech is a special place. Everybody cares about you from the top down. That's what makes the culture so special and so unique."
 
Wrapping up his fifth season at Tech (fourth as defensive coordinator) with a chance at a firth-consecutive bowl victory, Baker understands the rarity and unique situation of continuity in college football.
 
"It's been a heck of a ride," said Baker. "There's been ups and downs for sure. The cool part about it, and this is rare in today's game, but I've been able to see a lot of these guys all the way through their time here, with some of the fifth and fourth-year seniors. They've been with me the whole time. We've been through all those highs and lows together, and it's so cool to see all their growth.
 
"For me, it's been surreal. Getting this opportunity at a young age five years ago was incredible. I'm thankful to coach (Skip) Holtz for giving me this opportunity and for letting me learn on the fly. He's been a big help to me. I wouldn't trade it for the world right now. My family and I absolutely love it here."