Education
Born in Logan, Utah, Baer graduated from Sky View High School of Smithfield, Utah in 1969. At Utah State, Baer lettered in football for four years (1969 through 1972) and graduated with a degree in physical education and recreation.
Born in Logan, Utah, Baer graduated from Sky View High School of Smithfield, Utah in 1969. At Utah State, Baer lettered in football for four years (1969 through 1972) and graduated with a degree in physical education and recreation.
Baer then enrolled at Utah State University. On December 11, 2004, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Baer was named interim head coach after regular head coach Tyrone Willingham was fired. Notre Dame eventually hired Charlie Weis as new head coach starting 2005.
On January 3, 2005, after Willingham became head coach at Washington, Baer joined Willingham"s staff as defensive coordinator.
At the conclusion of the 2007 season, after a statistically worst defensive season in UW football history, Willingham decided to let Baer go. In the three years at UW, the defense ranked 94, 95 and 98 in total defense, 89, 85 and 94 in scoring defense, and 106, 102 and 85 in passing defense.(1)
On April 14, 2008, Baer became defensive coordinator at San Jose State under Dick Tomey.
On December 11, 2012, Baer became interim head coach of San Jose State after Mike MacIntyre resigned to become head coach at Colorado. Baer coached the Spartans to a 29-20 victory over Bowling Green University in the 2012 Military Bowl on December 27.
MacIntyre announced on December 18 that he would like Baer to join him in Colorado as defensive coordinator.
With five other former San Jose State assistants, Baer joined MacIntyre in Colorado on January 3, 2013. First year head coach Tony Sanchez completed his staff at University of Nevada, Las Vegas when Baer joined on December 22, 2014 as his defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
