Every baseball coach who takes the LSU job knows the big shoes they have to fill.
Longtime former coach and athletics director [autotag]Skip Bertman[/autotag] set the program’s standard, winning five of LSU’s six national titles while at the helm from 1984-01. Now, coach [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] looks to become the third LSU coach to win a national title as the Tigers begin their run at the 2023 College World Series in Omaha.
Though he hasn’t been in an administrative role since 2008, Bertman remains a major figure within the program. In an interview with former player [autotag]Mikie Mahtook[/autotag] on the Mik’d Up w/ Mikie Mahtook podcast, Johnson detailed his relationship with Bertman.
“The best part of this job is the personal relationship I’ve got to develop with him,” Johnson said, per On3. “Because in the profession I have, you always aspire to be the best. He is the unquestioned GOAT. No doubt about that. I studied him as a young coach so now talking to him like three or four times a week and getting to hear or re-hear some of those stories because I have some familiarity with him has been amazing.”
Johnson’s direct predecessor, [autotag]Paul Mainieri[/autotag], also set the standard high, winning a national championship in 2009. Mainieri also remains around the building and has had an impact, as well.
“Last night will be that night I remember forever and he’s a big part to do with that and same with Coach Mainieri,” Johnson said. “He couldn’t have been better as far as helping me get off to a good start here and just little things I needed to know about the program and the roster and all those types of things. Getting to spend time with two guys of that level and caliber of coach here is honestly, probably, from the personal standpoint, one of the best things about coaching here.”
LSU begins its run in Omaha against Tennessee on Saturday as Johnson looks to join an exclusive club of national title-winning Tigers coaches.
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