Skip Bertman, who led LSU to five baseball titles, dies at 88 - ESPN

Legendary LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman, who transformed the Tigers into a national powerhouse and later worked as the school's athletic director, died early Friday morning, the school announced. Bertman was 88.

After taking over LSU's baseball program in 1984, Bertman guided the Tigers to the Men's College World Series 11 times, winning national championships in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 2000.

During his tenure, the Tigers won seven SEC titles and had an 870-330-3 record. His teams won more than 75% of their MCWS games, the highest winning percentage in NCAA history.

Bertman was a seven-time national coach of the year and part of the inaugural College Baseball Hall of Fame class in 2006. After he retired as LSU baseball coach in 2001, his No. 15 jersey was permanently retired at the school and the street in front of the original Alex Box Stadium was renamed Skip Bertman Drive.

«Few people have had a greater impact on LSU than Skip Bertman,» LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry said in a statement. «As the greatest college baseball coach of all-time, and later as our Athletics Director, Skip developed a championship standard and culture that still guide us today. Personally, he was a dear friend, mentor and advisor, and 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.»

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

In international competition, Bertman was