LSU is mourning the loss of one of its defining figures. Jerry Stovall, the former Tigers star and head coach, has died at the age of 85, according to Matt Moscona.
“A great man. Kind and generous. He will be missed. @1045espn @LASportsDotNet”
Stovall’s LSU legacy started long before he ever returned to Baton Rouge as a coach. The West Monroe native played for the Tigers from 1960 through 1962, contributing on offense, defense and special teams. As a halfback, he ran for 1,081 yards and 13 touchdowns, and he added 452 receiving yards with one score through the air.
His 1962 season put him among the nation’s elite. That year, Stovall was a unanimous All-American, earned SEC Player of the Year honors and finished second in Heisman voting.
The NFL came calling soon after. Stovall was taken second overall in the 1963 NFL Draft by the St.
Louis Cardinals and shifted into a full-time role at defensive back. Over nine seasons, he made three Pro Bowls and was selected second-team All Pro in 1966.
Stovall eventually made his way back to LSU in 1974, joining Charles McClendon’s staff as running backs coach. He later took over as head coach after Bo Rein died before the 1980 season, leading the Tigers from 1980 to 1983.
His best season at the helm came in 1982, when LSU went 8-3-1 and earned a trip to the 1983 Orange Bowl. That performance also brought him the Walter Camp Football Foundation Coach of the Year award. In four seasons as LSU’s head coach, Stovall’s teams finished 22-21-2.
Tiger Rag will update the story with more details as they arrive.
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