Jerry Stovall, former LSU football coach and All-America player, dies at 85

Jerry Stovall, former LSU football coach and All-America player, dies at 85 1 of 4 | LSU football players hoist head coach Jerry Stovall to their shoulders after their victory over Tulane during a NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Nov. 25, 1983. (AP Photo/Bill Feig, File) 2 of 4 | The number of LSU running back Jerry Stovall (21), second left, is retired in Tiger Stadium during halftime at an NCAA college football game between LSU and Georgia in Baton Rouge, La., Oct. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton, File) 3 of 4 | With a ball tucked under his arm, New York Giants Ernie Koy is brought down from behind by St. Louis Cardinals Jerry Stovall in the first period of an NFL football game at Yankee Stadium, Dec. 18, 1967, in New York. (AP Photo/Harry Harris) 4 of 4 | Jerry Stovall, right, of LSU, holds the Walter Camp Trophy and stands next to Pat Richter, of Wisconsin, holding the Knute Rockne Trophy after receiving them in Washington, Jan. 12, 1963. (AP Photo/BHR, File) Updated 12:22 AM MESZ, September 1, 2026 Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Baton Rouge, La. (AP) — Jerry Stovall, a former LSU football coach and an All-America player nicknamed “Mr. Everything,” died Monday, the school said. He was 85. LSU announced that Stovall died in Baton Rouge without disclosing a cause. Stovall went 22-21-2 in four seasons with the Tigers, leading the team to an 8-3-1 record and an Orange Bowl appearance in 1982. A West Monroe native, Stovall was a two-way standout for LSU from 1960-62. He finished his collegiate career with 1,081 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns along with 452 receiving yards and a touchdown reception. He also recorded nearly 700 return yards on special teams and had seven interceptions. Stovall earned All-America honors and was named the Southeastern Conference player of the year in 1962. He finished second in Heisman Trophy voting behind Oregon State quarterback Terry Baker. Known for his versatility, Stovall was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the No. 2 pick in the 1963 NFL draft. He played nine seasons in the league as a safety and punter, earning Pro Bowl honors three times. Stovall later returned to Baton Rouge as an assistant under Charles McClendon. He was promoted to head coach after McClendon’s replacement, Bo Rein, died in a plane crash in 1980.