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Skip Bertman joins CWS title celebration, Jay Johnson sends heartfelt message

by: Alex Byington06/22/25_AlexByington
NCAA Football: Les Miles Press Conference
Dec 1, 2007; Atlanta, GA, USA; LSU Tigers athletic director Skip Bertman smiles after head coach Les Miles (not pictured) addressed the media prior to the SEC Championship game against Tennessee Volunteers dispersing the media rumors that he is leaving for Michigan at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Photo by John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The architech of LSU‘s baseball dynasty was back were he belonged, celebrating another national championship in Omaha. Skip Bertman, the 87-year-old Tigers coaching legend, was ushered onto Charles Schwab Field following LSU’s 5-3 win over Coastal Carolina in Game 2 of the Men’s College World Series championship final on Sunday.

Bertman was on hand Sunday for the Tigers’ second College World Series national championship in its first three seasons under head coach Jay Johnson, who described the octogenarian as his best friend and mentor during postgame comments.

“(It’s) indescribable. He’s my best friend now, he’s my mentor,” Johnson told ABC/ESPN sideline reporter Kris Budden. “I love you, Coach, wherever you’re at.”

Of course, even with two NCAA titles under his belt, Johnson still has a ways to go to reach the heights of Bertman, who won five CWS championships during his 18-year career (1984-2001) leading the Tigers baseball team.

The ABC cameras caught Bertman being wheeled out onto the field after the final out, where he was quickly surrounded by the entire LSU team.

ABC/ESPN broadcaster Kyle Peterson acknowledged the special moment in his closing assessment.

“One, it’s great to see Skip out there,” Peterson said. “It’s been a rough year. He lost his wife, and obviously he’s the architech of this. But it’s pretty amazing the consistency of this (LSU) program. … One thing that remains is one of the greatest fanbases in all college baseball. They showed up again today and I have a feeling it’s not going to be quiet in Baton Rouge tonight.”

After retiring in 2001, Bertman served as LSU’s athletic director until 2008.

LSU dogpiles following final out to win 8th national title

The LSU Tigers are officially the 2025 College World Series champions. The team celebrated accordingly after turning a double play to secure a 5-3 win over Coastal Carolina.

As soon as the umpire threw up his hand, calling the final out, LSU stormed the field, forming into one massive dogpile on the mound. Chase Shores, LSU’s closer, was at the center of the celebration after holding the Tigers scoreless for the final two innings.

It is far from the first time the Tigers have dogpiled in recent memory. LSU also won the national title in 2023 and its latest victory marks the program’s eighth CWS championship.

— On3’s Grant Grubbs contributed to this report.