Kenny Baker is in his first season as the defensive line coach at UTC. He joined the Mocs after five years in the same position at Mercer (2014-18).
At Mercer, Baker mentored a defensive line unit that saw Isaiah Buehler emerge as one of SoCon’s top defensive linemen, earning All-SoCon First Team honors with team-leading 7.5 TFL & 5.5 sacks in 2017. Last year’s squad ranked 21st in the FCS in red zone defense (74.5 percent) and was led by Dorian Kithcart, who registered career-highs of 29 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss & 2.5 sacks
Baker’s defensive line played a key role in Mercer leading the SoCon in turnovers gained (25) & turnover margin (+9) in 2017, marking the fourth year in a row the Bears tallied at least 21 turnovers gained. The 2015 unit ranked among SoCon’s best against the run, allowing 171.3 yards per game.
Prior to his stint at Mercer, Baker was the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Berry College in 2013. He also served as Rusty Wright’s linebackers student assistant at Gardner-Webb in 2009. A native of Cartersville, Ga., Baker served as defensive coordinator at Augusta’s Lakeside High School from 2010-12.
A standout student-athlete, Baker was a four-year letterman & three-year starter on the defensive line at Gardner-Webb (2005-08). He was selected as a team captain & garnered team’s defensive Player of the Year honors in 2007. He was also a regular member of school’s Dean’s List & Big South Honor Roll, earning a B.S. in Health & Physical Education in 2009. He went on earn a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Leadership from Mercer in 2018.
