BATON ROUGE — Skip Bertman's death early Friday morning saw members of both the sports and Baton Rouge communities memorialize the legendary LSU baseball coach and athletic director.

LSU Sports:

LSU Athletics remembered Bertman as "the greatest coach in college baseball history, a visionary leader and one of the most impactful figures in the evolution of collegiate athletics." 

We mourn today the passing of LSU legend Skip Bertman, the greatest coach in college baseball history, a visionary leader, and one of the most impactful figures in the evolution of collegiate athletics. pic.twitter.com/ImXrx2smwv

— LSU Tigers (@LSUsports) August 14, 2026

LSU Athletic Director Verge Ausberry called Bertman "a dear friend, mentor and advisor." 

"Few people have had a greater impact on LSU than Skip Bertman," Ausberry said. "I’m forever grateful for the trust and faith he placed in me to serve this institution. I will continue to honor Skip by leaning into the lessons he taught me every day. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones at this time."

Bertman's legacy as the coach of a dynastic LSU baseball program still lives on. 

Current baseball coach Jay Johnson said that the best part of his career at LSU was the relationship he built with Bertman. 

"The mentorship, and most importantly, the friendship we built is easily one of the best, most rewarding, and special relationships I have ever had. What an honor it has been to sit with, talk baseball with, smile with, and laugh with Coach," Johnson said. 

Johnson said that Bertman was "so far ahead of his time while leading the LSU Tigers." 

"As a young coach just starting my journey, I watched, studied, and admired his incredible skills of leading, motivating, teaching, coaching, and ultimately cultivating what became 'The Powerhouse' of College Baseball," he continued. 

Being able to coach the Tigers to the 2023 and 2025 National Championships with Bertman watching was one of the most memorable moments of Johnson's career, he said. 

"The impact he made and legacy he has left on the state of Louisiana and college baseball is beyond remarkable and will never be duplicated," Johnson said. "I love you, Coach; I will miss you and will continue to work every day in a manner that I know would make you proud."

LSU's women's basketball associate head coach Bob Starkey said that Bertman helped guide him "as a coach and as a person."

"His footprint on LSU athletics, the Baton Rouge community and the state of Louisiana is massive and will last forever," Starkey said in a social media post. 

Heartbroken and struggling for words…Skip poured into me as a coach and as a person…his footprint on LSU athletics, the Baton Rouge community and the state of Louisiana is massive and will last forever. pic.twitter.com/oKYezTsbXx

— Bob Starkey (@CoachBobStarkey) August 14, 2026

After hearing news of Bertman's passing, LSU softball coach Beth Torina stopped by Alex Box Stadium by the Bertman statue to pay her respects to the legendary coach.

"He was just an incredible mentor, just a hero in my life," she told WBRZ. "The best thing about him, to me, is, as big as he is, all his legacies, he was never too big to call a softball coach down the road and make sure I was doing okay."

Former Players:

Commentator and former LSU and MLB player Ben McDonald remembered his former coach as "the man who changed college baseball forever" in a post on social media. 

"As great a coach he was, even a better man that touched countless lives! So thankful I got to see him last night and tell him how much I loved him 1 more time!" McDonald's post read. 

My heart is broken this morning….we have lost Coach Bertman. The best to ever fill out a lineup card….the man who changed college baseball forever and the man who built the best baseball program in the country @LSUbaseball As great a coach he was, even a better man that touched… pic.twitter.com/W4eU48vpKj

— Ben McDonald (@realbenmcdonald) August 14, 2026

Former LSU pitcher Brett Laxton, who played on the 1993 National Championship team Bertman coached, said Bertman had a tremendous influence on his life. 

"I would not be here in Louisiana without him," Laxton told WBRZ.

Former LSU first baseman Pete Bush said that he is "overcome with gratitude for the 42+ years of having him in my life as a mentor, guide and friend."

"No one has had more influence in how I turned out in life than he has and the ripple effect of that impact will continue on in me and the many players, coaches, co-workers and fans whose lives he touched. He was so unique in his era of baseball and such a fierce competitor who knew how to win and teach others to get the most out of their ability," Bush said.

Bush said Bertman's most important gift to him was allowing the first baseman to believe in himself and "in the power of teamwork, both of which have been crucial to whatever success I have had."

"He will be truly missed but forever honored for what he gave during his remarkable lifetime," Bush said in a statement.

Louisiana Community:

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry called Bertman a legend, not because of the trophies he collected, but because "a legend is a person who changes a standard forever." 

"That is what Skip Bertman did. He took something ordinary and made it extraordinary. Most importantly, he left his players and those he touched better than he found them. His goal was to impact the scoreboard of life," Landry said. "Louisiana will dearly miss him!"

The word legend is often used to signify the greatness of a person, but in sports being a legend isn’t measured by the trophies you collect. Those are just symbols of accomplishments.

A legend is a person who changes a standard forever, and that is what Skip Bertman did. He…

— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) August 14, 2026

East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards said that, for most people, being inducted into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor one can achieve in sports, but not for Bertman. 

"But there are a rare few whose legacies become bigger than any award—people who were so dominant that everyone who comes after them is measured against the standard they set," Edwards said in a statement. "In college baseball, that will always be Skip Bertman."

Edwards remembered talking sports with Bertman, who he said was a "true genius of the game." 

"But what impressed me most wasn’t simply his knowledge of baseball. It was his understanding of leadership—his ability to take a group of young people, get them to believe in one another, and unite them behind a single goal. There are lessons in that which extend far beyond the baseball field," Edwards continued.

The mayor said that Bertman "brought championships and unforgettable memories to generations of Louisianans, and left an impact on our community that will endure for generations."

"Baton Rouge and the State of Louisiana are forever in his debt," Edwards said.

Hillar Moore, District Attorney for the 19th JDC, said in a statement that Bertman's "life, accomplishments and impact, not only on America’s pastime, baseball, but on life itself will never be recreated."

"Baseball and winning championships were extremely important to him and he was a master at his craft, but where he was at his best… and maybe hidden in championships, was his shaping young men to be their best and to help them succeed in their lives beyond baseball," Moore continued. "It was what his players would become and achieve that was paramount to him. He accomplished his life’s goal and dream. I am one of the fortunate to have him as a mentor and a friend."