Legendary LSU baseball coach and athletic director Skip Bertman has died at age 88.
His daughter said he died at 1 a.m. this morning in Baton Rouge at the hospital, surrounded by his daughters.
Bertman was the Tigers baseball coach from 1984 to 2001 and won five NCAA College World Series championships and seven Southeastern Conference championships.
His career record is 870-330-3 all-time.
After his time as LSU baseball coach, Bertman took over as athletic director for LSU from 2001 to 2008.
In recognition of his legendary contributions, Bertman was inducted into the inaugural class of the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.
The field at Alex Box Stadium is named after him, and he has a statue outside the stadium.
Reaction is starting to pour in following his passing. Current LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson saying,
“By far the greatest part of being the baseball coach at LSU the last five years is the relationship I was able to build with the greatest college baseball coach of my lifetime, Skip Bertman. The mentorship, and most importantly, the friendship we built is easily one of the best, most rewarding, and special relationships I have ever had. What an honor it has been to sit with, talk baseball with, smile with, and laugh with Coach.
“Coach Bertman was so far ahead of his time while leading the LSU Tigers, and as a young coach just starting my journey, I watched, studied, and admired his incredible skills of leading, motivating, teaching, coaching, and ultimately cultivating what became ‘The Powerhouse’ of College Baseball. Being able to share the 2023 and 2025 National Championships with Coach Bertman watching is something I wouldn’t trade for the world. The impact he made and legacy he has left on the state of Louisiana and college baseball is beyond remarkable and will never be duplicated.
“I love you Coach, I will miss you, and will continue to work every day in a manner that I know would make you proud.”
LSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Verge Ausberry also reacting saying,
“Few people have had a greater impact on LSU than Skip Bertman. As the greatest college baseball coach of all-time, and later as our Athletics Director, Skip developed a championship standard and culture that still guide us today. Personally, he was a dear friend, mentor and advisor, and I’m forever grateful for the trust and faith he placed in me to serve this institution. I will continue to honor Skip by leaning into the lessons he taught me every day. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones at this time.”
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