Former LSU head coach, Cardinals safety dies at 85
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Jerry Stovall, the former LSU All-American, NFL defensive back and Tigers head coach, has died at 85, according to multiplereports Monday, Aug. 31.
A native of West Monroe, Louisiana, Stovall became one of the most versatile players in LSU history during his three seasons with the Tigers from 1960-62. He played halfback, defensive back and returner and also handled punting duties.
Stovall was a unanimous All-American as a senior in 1962, was named the Southeastern Conference’s Most Valuable Player, and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting behind Oregon State quarterback Terry Baker. He helped LSU win the SEC championship in 1961 and finished his college career with more than 1,000 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, along with 452 receiving yards and a touchdown. He also intercepted seven passes and averaged 42.1 yards per punt in 1962.
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LSU selected Stovall’s No. 21 for retirement in 2018, adding it to the small group of football jerseys honored by the school. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as part of its 2010 class and entered the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1981.
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Stovall with the No. 2 overall pick in the 1963 NFL Draft. He moved to the secondary as a professional and spent nine seasons with the Cardinals, earning three Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro recognition along the way.
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Stovall began coaching after his playing career and eventually returned to LSU as an assistant under longtime coach Charles McClendon. When head coach Bo Rein died in a plane crash before the 1980 season, Stovall was chosen to lead his alma mater.
Over the next three seasons, the Tigers went 22-21-2. Stovall’s strongest season came in 1982, when the Tigers went 8-3-1, defeated several ranked opponents, and reached the Orange Bowl (where No. 3 Nebraska beat No. 13 LSU to cap a 12-1 season).
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Stovall was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation Coach of the Year, but eventually gave up his role on the sidelines to pursue an athletics administration track as Louisiana Tech’s athletic director beginning in 1990.
Stovall later returned to Baton Rouge and became president and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Sports Foundation, remaining active in Louisiana sports and civic affairs.
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