Former players, coaches, administrators and the LSU community joined the family of Skip Bertman in celebrating the life of the legendary baseball coach and athletic director, who died August 14th at the age of 88. LSU’s current head baseball coach, Jay Johnson, noted that Bertman was in Omaha for both times he led the team to the national championship, and he told a story of what Bertman told him before the second game against Coastal Carolina in the 2025 championship series.
“He shakes my hand, he’s like, ‘Great job, but here’s what’s going to happen when we win; I’m going to come down on the field, I’m going to give you a hug, we’re going to celebrate.’ What I thought next was, ‘There is no way I’m making this man spend another night in Omaha; we’d better win today,"” Johnson said.
Ben McDonald was a star pitcher for Bertman from 1986 until 1989 and recalled seeing Bertman in the hospital shortly before his passing.
“I told him I loved him, for all of us; told him I appreciated everything he did for me and for all the former players. And I kissed him on the forehead, and then I made my way out. Little did I know that would be the last time that I would see Coach Bertman,” McDonald said.
LSU’s current athletic director, Verge Ausberry – who played football for LSU while Bertman was coaching the baseball team – paid tribute to his predecessor, using the nickname he had given himself, playing off his Jewish faith.
“Skip, you didn’t really leave us; you never will. You’ll live on at LSU forever. Thank you for shaping my life, and so many others. Love you, the chosen one,” Ausberry said.