Legendary LSU coach and former athletic director Skip Bertman, who transformed the Tigers into one of college baseball's great programs, has died. He was 88.
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Bertman died Friday at Baton Rouge General hospital with his daughters by his side, according to WAFB.
Few coaches have left a larger mark on a college baseball program.
Bertman took over at LSU in 1984 and spent 18 seasons as head coach, winning five national championships and seven SEC titles. The Tigers captured College World Series championships in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 2000.
LSU reached the NCAA tournament 16 times and advanced to the College World Series 11 times under Bertman.
His influence extended beyond winning games.
Bertman helped turn LSU baseball into an event in Baton Rouge, with the Tigers leading the nation in attendance in each of his final six seasons as coach.
He retired from coaching following the 2001 season and became LSU's athletic director, holding that position until 2008. Bertman oversaw continued success across the school's athletic department and helped spearhead construction of the new Alex Box Stadium.
The field at the stadium was later named Skip Bertman Field in his honor.
Bertman also coached internationally, serving as an assistant for the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic baseball team in 1988 and as head coach of the American team that won bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
He was inducted into the inaugural class of the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.
Bertman's wife of 63 years, Sandy, died in 2025. He was also preceded in death by their daughter, Lisa.
He is survived by daughters Jan, Jodi and Lori, along with his grandchildren.
One of the greatest coaches in college baseball history, Bertman didn't simply win at LSU. He helped make LSU baseball what it is today.
