Genespage.com has learned that Mississippi State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop and defensive line coach Brian Baker have both agreed to and signed new two year contacts with the Bulldogs keeping them in Starkville through the 2020 seasons. Baker and Shoop have been highly sought after and linked with other openings, but both long time assistants have elected to stay on in Starkville as members of Coach Joe Moorhead's staff.

Shoop has proven to be a fan favorite in just one of year of service at Mississippi State. As the conductor of the Bulldog symphony of destruction, Shoop led Mississippi to the top of the national rankings in most defensive statistical categories including total defense and scoring defense.

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By signing on for two additional years, Shoop ensures that Mississippi State will have some continuity at the defensive coordinator position for the first time in several years. Shoop was preceded by Todd Grantham, Peter Sirmon and Manny Diaz who all served just one year stints under Coach Dan Mullen. Shoop will be the first Bulldog defensive coordinator to return to the staff for a second season since Geoff Collins left the stay following the 2014 season.

Coach Brian Baker was a hold over from Mullen's staff and recently turned down overtures from Florida and Maryland to remain at Mississippi State. Baker has been instrumental in the development of future NFL draft picks and All-American selections Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat.

Baker a veteran of nearly twenty years of NFL coaching experience will enter his fourth year in Starkville with the title of assistant head coach and an assortment of talented players. The Bulldog defensive front was considered one of the toughest in all of college football during the 2018 season. While Simmons and Sweat made the headlines, Baker got production out of his entire unit often rotating three teams of defensive linemen.

The news of these important contract extensions come on the heels of Coach Charles Huff's decision to leave Mississippi State for a position on Coach Nick Saban's staff at Alabama. Huff's replacement is believed to have already been identified and contacted. Sources close to the situation share that Moorhead is expected to act quickly and fill that vacancy this week.

Mississippi State finished the season with an 8-5 record and their first appearance in the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida. The Bulldogs will now push towards National Signing Day in hopes of ending the 2019 recruiting cycle with top 25 signing class. Moorhead and his staff inked fourteen standouts during the December signing period. With Coaches Baker and Shoop both inking contact extensions, those recruiting efforts are supported with today's developments.