Jay Johnson Talks 'Dream' Opportunity to Coach LSU, Skip Bertman's Impact

LSU Head Coach Jay Johnson understands the expectations that come when leading a program of this caliber. Upon accepting the job and heading to Baton Rouge, it took time of reflection, but a few reasons left him with no other option but to make the move.

One of those reasons was legendary LSU coach Skip Bertman. Bertman’s legacy down South is remarkable, and for Johnson, he elected to come to Baton Rouge to build on what he created during his time with LSU.

Johnson reflected on what it meant for this program to punch their ticket to the College World Series, his experiences in Omaha and why he took the LSU job.

When did LSU athletic director Scott Woodward approach Johnson and how did the hiring come to fruition?

“It started right after kind of the heartbreak of losing in the College World Series. The opening game in 2021, I mean we had the lead against Kumar Rocker and Vanderbilt late. And we played great that night. And it was a tough loss in extra innings. And got eliminated by Stanford,” Johnson said.

“And then [LSU] approached me and said, ‘Hey, what do you think about this?’ And I probably wouldn't have gone anywhere else. But the gentleman sitting back there, Coach Bertman, made this the place.

“I thought, wow, this is a once-in-a-lifetime, once-in-a-career opportunity and dream come true, to be part of this with him and all his great players and Ben McDonald and Todd Walker all the great assistant coaches. I'm 12 years old, I had a LSU baseball hat on in Northern California and watching the purple jerseys run around Omaha all the time.

“To get to coach this team in the College World Series, I've had a hard time to put that into words, but it's pretty special.”

Johnson is living his dream of coaching the LSU Tigers, and with a National Championship within arms reach, his own legacy continues to grow.

There’s a different feeling in Baton Rouge with Johnson at the helm of the program. A savvy recruiter who is also one of the best baseball minds in the game, LSU has their guy for the long haul and it’s coming together rather quickly.

Johnson assembled a super team in his second season down South. He reeled in Paul Skenes from the Air Force. He secured Tommy White from North Carolina State after breaking the NCAA record for most homers as a freshman.

Now, he has a chance to win a title after advancing to the College World Series and couldn’t be happier for this group.

“They deserve to play there. If I said I felt relief, that would be taking away what this is really about. And that's the players working, all the blood, sweat and tears in the bucket, for this opportunity,” Johnson said. “I'm really just happy for them. I'm happy for our program. I'm so honored to be here. I'm happy for the fans. Talk about an unbelievable performance.

“I just love how everybody's behind us. It makes me happy that they're happy that they can pack up the motor home, RVs, hop on a flight, get up there and hang out in Nebraska for 10, 12 days.”