Jerry Stovall, a former LSU head coach and accomplished halfback in the College Football Hall of Fame, has passed away at 85. Reports confirmed his death on Monday, August 31. The exact cause of death has not been disclosed.
Stovall was born on April 30, 1941, in West Monroe, Louisiana. He gained attention early on as a football player at West Monroe High School, becoming the first All-State player in the school’s history. His early success set the stage for a remarkable football career.
College Football Achievements
Stovall joined LSU, where he developed into one of the school’s most versatile players from 1960 to 1962. He played as a halfback and also served as a receiver, punter, returner, and defensive back. He was twice named first-team All-SEC and in 1962, was the conference’s most valuable player.
In 1962, Stovall became a unanimous All-American and was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, finishing second to Oregon State’s Terry Baker. His college career statistics boast over 1,000 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, 452 receiving yards, and seven interceptions. The significance of his contributions was marked by LSU retiring his No. 21 jersey.
Professional Football and Coaching Career
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Stovall in the first round of the 1963 NFL Draft. Over nine seasons with the team (1963-1971), he excelled primarily as a defensive back and contributed significantly on special teams. His standout performances earned him three Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors.
After retiring as a player, Stovall returned to LSU as an assistant coach under Charles McClendon. Tragedy struck when Bo Rein, the newly hired coach, died in a plane crash in 1980, and Stovall was promoted to head coach. Over four seasons, he achieved a 22-21-2 record.
In 1982, the Tigers, under Stovall’s leadership, had an 8-3-1 season and reached the Orange Bowl. This achievement earned him national coach-of-the-year accolades. However, his tenure ended after the 1983 season due to a winless conference record.
Later Contributions and Legacy
Stovall transitioned to athletics administration. He served as the director of athletics at Louisiana Tech and later led the Baton Rouge Area Sports Foundation. His impact extended beyond coaching, highlighted by his induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
Remembered not only for his coaching, Stovall made a lasting mark as one of LSU’s most accomplished players, exemplified by his ability to impact nearly every area of the game.