Tag: Skip Bertman

LSU baseball’s Jay Johnson on how the transfer portal changes team building

Jay Johnson discussed how the transfer portal affects building a program in the new era

College sports are in an era of change. One of the biggest changes in recent years was the addition of the transfer portal, which has drastically shifted how some coaches and programs approach roster contruction.

LSU baseball head coach [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] works the portal as well as anyone. In 2022, Johnson hit the portal for superstar pitcher [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] along with slugger [autotag]Tommy White[/autotag]. Both adds proved to be critical during LSU’s 2023 national title run.

Johnson spoke to the media this week and offered his thoughts on what the transfer portal has meant for the sport.

“The reality is we’re in a different landscape right now. I don’t think it’s about building a program anymore and that’s my wheelhouse. My specialty is developing a program,” Johnson said. “But I think it’s probably now about building your team one year at a time and I don’t say that in any other way than I want the guy that [autotag]Skip Bertman[/autotag] was able to redshirt.”

That’s harder to do these days, Johnson said, forcing an adjustment.

Johnson is already off to a strong start in the transfer portal this cycle with the addition of Indiana State slugger [autotag]Luis Hernandez[/autotag].

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Former LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri to be inducted into Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame

Paul Mainieri won a national championship and made five College World Series appearances in 15 years at LSU.

Longtime LSU baseball coach [autotag]Paul Mainieri[/autotag] will be officially inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame this weekend.

The head coach of the Tigers from 2007-21, he won a national title in 2009 and reached the College World Series five times. His team also finished as the runner-up in 2017.

Mainieri retired following the 2021 season with an overall record of 641-281-3. In his 15-year career, he recorded four 50-win seasons including a 57-win campaign in 2013, which still stands as the program record.

He’s one of three LSU baseball coaches to win a national championship, joining legendary five-time champion [autotag]Skip Bertman[/autotag] and [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag], who won his first title this past season.

Mainieri will join former LSU pitcher [autotag]Paul Byrd[/autotag], who is also being inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

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LSU’s Jay Johnson named Coach of the Year by Collegiate Baseball

Jay Johnson becomes the third LSU coach to win the award, joining Paul Mainieri and five-time winner Skip Bertman.

After capturing his first national title as a head coach and the first for LSU since 2009, [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] was the only logical choice for Coach of the Year.

Indeed, the head coach of the newly crowned champions received the honor by Collegiate Baseball on Thursday after a 54-17 season in his second year in Baton Rouge.

Johnson becomes the third LSU head coach to receive the award from the newspaper, joining [autotag]Paul Mainieri[/autotag], who won it in 2009, and [autotag]Skip Bertman[/autotag]. The legendary Tigers coach won the award five times (1991, 1993, 1996-97, 2000).

LSU defeated Florida and coach Kevin O’Sullivan — who won this award in 2017 — in three games in the championship series. The Tigers won a decisive Game 3 18-4.

Johnson has built a championship roster quickly through the use of the transfer portal and elite high school recruiting. Now that he’s gotten the first title out of the way, he’ll try to defend it in 2024.

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LSU’s Jay Johnson details his relationship with legendary coach Skip Bertman

Johnson has quite a standard to live up to as the coach of the Tigers.

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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