Jerry Stovall, one of LSU’s most decorated all-around players and later the man who guided the Tigers from the sideline, has died at 85, according to multiple reports Monday, Aug. 31.
A West Monroe, La., native, Stovall carved out a rare place in LSU history over three seasons from 1960-62. He did a little bit of everything for the Tigers: halfback, defensive back, returner and even punter. By the time his college run was done, he had become the kind of player programs remember for generations.
His 1962 senior season put him in the center of the national conversation. Stovall was a unanimous All-American, won SEC Most Valuable Player honors and finished second in Heisman Trophy voting behind Oregon State quarterback Terry Baker. LSU had already claimed the SEC title in 1961 with Stovall in the mix, and his final college numbers reflected just how much he did for the Tigers - more than 1,000 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, 452 receiving yards and a touchdown, seven interceptions and a 42.1-yard punting average in 1962.
LSU later retired his No. 21 in 2018, placing it among the small group of football jerseys honored by the school. Stovall was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2010 class and entered the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1981.
The legacy he built in Baton Rouge didn’t end when his playing days did. The St.
Louis Cardinals made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 1963 NFL Draft, and he spent nine seasons with the franchise after moving to the secondary as a pro. Along the way, he earned three Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro recognition.
Stovall eventually moved into coaching and later came back to LSU as an assistant under Charles McClendon. When Bo Rein died in a plane crash before the 1980 season, LSU turned to Stovall to lead his alma mater.
He coached the Tigers for three seasons and went 22-21-2. His best stretch came in 1982, when LSU finished 8-3-1, knocked off several ranked teams and reached the Orange Bowl.
No. 3 Nebraska beat No.
13 LSU there to close out a 12-1 season.
Stovall was named Walter Camp Football Foundation Coach of the Year after that season. He later stepped away from the sideline and moved into athletics administration, becoming Louisiana Tech’s athletic director beginning in 1990.
He eventually returned to Baton Rouge, where he served as president and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Sports Foundation and remained involved in Louisiana sports and civic life.
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