West Monroe native and LSU legend Jerry Stovall passed away on Monday, as first reported by Will Weathers of LouisianaSports.net.
Stovall came to LSU in 1959 and saw his first action in 1960 as the man tasked with replacing legendary LSU running back Billy Cannon. Stovall had his best season in 1961, finishing as the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.
Stovall’s impact would not be limited to just his play on the field, but would also extend to the sidelines. Stovall became an assistant coach under Charles
McClendon. In 1980, the Tigers hired Bo Rein, who tragically died in a plane crash. Following Rein’s death, Stovall was elevated to the head coaching position.
He would serve as the Tigers’ head coach for four seasons before being let go at the end of the 1983 season. That would be Stovall’s final coaching stint, but he later became the athletic director for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, serving from 1990 to 1994.
LSU would honor Jerry Stovall by retiring his jersey and placing his name and No. 21 inside Tiger Stadium.
