STARKVILLE — Brian Baker wanted to get back to coaching college football.

He began his career coaching in college, but he took an opportunity to coach in the NFL in the mid-1990s. After nearly 20 years in the NFL, Baker was anxious to get back to where he started.

When the Mississippi State football team lost David Turner to Texas A&M, Baker saw his chance. Three weeks ago, Baker realized his goal when MSU coach Dan Mullen him to be the Bulldogs’ new defensive line coach.

“(It’s) really just a chance to pour into the guys,” Baker said. “I am a man of faith, and I’ve always wanted to share that part of my philosophy and my coaching experience. I want to give back to the players what the good Lord has given to me. I didn’t always have that chance in pro boll, and it didn’t lend itself to that.”

After playing outside linebacker at Maryland from 1980-83, Baker was a student assistant for the Terrapins in 1984 and a graduate assistant in 1985. His first full-time job was fullbacks coach at Army in 1986. He coached the Georgia Tech linebackers from 1987-95 and was the defensive coordinator for one year.

In 1996, Baker started his NFL career with the San Diego Chargers. He went on to coach with the Detroit Lions (1997-200), the Minnesota Vikings (2001-05), the St. Louis Rams (2006-08), the Carolina Panthers (2009-10), the Dallas Cowboys (2011-12), the Cleveland Browns (2013), and the Washington Redskins (2014).

After coaching at Covenant Christian Academy (Texas), it didn’t take long for Baker to know from watching the Bulldogs’ defense and the defensive line that he wanted to go to MSU.

“It’s a group that plays fast and a group that plays aggressive,” Baker said. “After meeting with coach Mullen, I understood why because this team plays to his personality. That was the thing that really became intriguing to me when this opportunity opened up.”

Baker said there was an opportunity for him to return to the college game at North Carolina after he left the Panthers in 2010. After being let go on a Monday, he was in Chapel Hill on a Tuesday and was talking with coach Butch Jones, but Baker didn’t like the fit. Davis was let go in April.

At MSU, Baker joins defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon, cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator Terrell Buckley, and safeties coach Maurice Linguist replace Manny Diaz, Deshea Townsend, Jay Hughes, and Turner as new defensive coaches.

The defense isn’t undergoing a complete overhaul, but a 3-4 front is being implemented. This spring might be the most intense in a while for the defensive linemen because no spots that are guaranteed.

“We all have stuff we did good last year, but I feel like this is a new audition for everybody,” rising senior defensive end A.J. Jefferson said. “I feel like this should be the best spring as a group we’ve had since we’ve been here. Everybody is trying to getting a starting spot.”

Jefferson said Baker reminds him of Turner. He said they have some of the same tendencies and that the terminology and some techniques are the only differences.

Baker has 15 spring practices, including the Maroon and White Game on April 16 at Davis Wade Stadium, and a month of fall practice to prepare his unit for the 2016 season. He has six seniors and one junior in his group, so he has experience to rely on.

“They’ve been through it and played in the SEC,” Baker said. “They know what kind of work it takes to win in this conference, and that’s good. If you had a whole room full of young guys that don’t what that battle is like, then once they line up it is going to be a shock to them.”

Jefferson, who had 47 tackles (13.5 for loss) and five sacks last season, and senior defensive tackle Nelson Adams, who had 25 tackles (one for loss) last season, have lettered the past three seasons.

Junior college transfer Tre Brown also is going through spring practice. Baker will add Starkville High School standout Kobe Jones, Noxubee County High standout Jeffery Simmons, and Marquiss Spencer in the fall.

While coaching in the NFL, Baker helped develop Pro Bowlers DeMarcus Ware, Julius Peppers, Jay Ratliff, Anthony Spencer, Kevin Williams, Robert Porcher, and Luther Elliss. He understands how to get the most out of players. He also knows there will be high expectations with a talented defensive line returning.

“It’s very exciting because he coached in the league for 20 years,” Jefferson said. “That’s a blessing for all of us here. I feel like he can get us all where we need to be and where we want to be.”

Baker is equally excited to have a chance to touch the lives of young men and to help them realize their dreams.

“I knew having the chance to deal with kids from 18 to 23 years old that they would be more receptive to a philosophy,” Baker said. “The philosophy is real simple: the attitude of gratitude. It’s them understanding them being here is a gift from the good Lord, and me being here as a coach is an absolute gift from the good Lord.”

Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait

Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.