.jpg) Baker in 2025 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1962-06-20)June 20, 1962 (age 63)[1] Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| College | Maryland |
| Career history | |
| |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
Brian Michael Baker (born June 20, 1962) is an Americanfootball coach, formerlinebacker, and former defensive line coach for theIndianapolis Colts.[2] He had been coaching for over 30 years in football both college and theNational Football League (NFL) prior to his joining the Colts.[3]
A Baltimore native, Brian played outside linebacker for theMaryland Terrapins between1980 and theirACC championship in1983.[4] During his time there, he was teammates withBoomer Esiason andFrank Reich.[5] In1984, he spent his time working as astudent assistant for the Terps. In1985, he earned a degree in marketing while serving as agraduate assistant.[6]
After the two years coaching at hisalma mater Baker went toArmy where he served as therunning backs coach for1986. Following his year at Army Baker coached linebackers atGeorgia Tech for nine years. In1995 he added the defensive coordinator. In1996 he made the leap to the NFL coaching the defensive line coach of theSan Diego Chargers as a part of his Maryland head coachBobby Ross' staff. He left the Chargers with Ross to join theLions in1997 coaching the same position, he would stay with Detroit for 4 years of Ross' tenure. For the next five years he would coach for theMinnesota Vikings spending three as a defensive line coach and two coaching linebackers. From2006 to2008 Baker served as the defensive line coach for theSt. Louis Rams. From2009 to2010, Baker coached the defensive line coach for thePanthers.[7] For the next two seasons Baker served as the defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys.[8] During his time there, he worked with three Pro Bowlers,DeMarcus Ware,Jay Ratliff, andAnthony Spencer. In2013 Baker was the outside linebackers coach for the Browns.In2014[9] he worked as the outside linebackers coach for theWashington Redskins.[10] In 2015 he worked as an assistant Texas high school football coach. From2016[11] to2018 he was the defensive line coach for Mississippi State. In2019 he worked as Alabama's defensive line coach underNick Saban. In2020 he returned to the NFL as the defensive line coach for the Colts underFrank Reich.[12][13]
Baker and his wife, Nevada, have four daughters, Norell, Nicole, Jade and Jasmine[14]