When Scott Woodward was looking for LSU’s next head baseball coach, he wanted to hire somebody who was ready.
Ready for the moment. Ready for the expectations. Ready to win championships.
After one interview and a glimpse into his genius, it was unmistakable: there was no one in the world who was more ready than Jay Johnson.
That hire, to use a baseball term, has been nothing short of a home run. Check the newspaper and you’ll see LSU won its eighth national title and its second in three years.
Check the record books and you’ll see Johnson became the fastest coach in college baseball history to win multiple national championships at the same school.
But Jay wasn’t happy with one and he won’t be happy with two. Sure, he’ll be happy today. But he’ll be hungry tomorrow.
That’s what makes him great.
“I’m so proud right now,” said LSU’s skipper, who needed a few seconds to collect his thoughts. “Being here two years ago, that was special and the greatest night of my life. This is equal and maybe tops in some ways.”
For LSU’s process-oriented coach, every second of the journey was essential to return to the pinnacle of the sport.
You don’t get dogpiles in June without team meetings in August. You can’t get hot in Omaha without cold preseason scrimmages.
From the first practice to the last out, Johnson’s fourth team in Baton Rouge was his most consistent one, an impressive feat considering the team that won it all two years ago.
“I’ve never seen a team more mentally tough and consistent,” Johnson said. “We went through probably the hardest schedule in college baseball and we had one hiccup. One. A little speed bump at Auburn. Other than that, they dominated the season and they dominated the schedule.”
I’d be remiss if I didn’t highlight some of the things that made the 2025 Tigers so special.
WHETHER IT WAS Chase Shores, who sat out all of 2024 due to Tommy John and struggled upon return, coming up clutch in the postseason and recording the final out to clinch a national championship. How serendipitous.
Whether it was Jared Jones, walking it off vs. Tennessee at 1:17 a.m. and walking it off against Arkansas to send LSU back to the CWS Finals. Never poke The Bear.
Whether it was Casan Evans, saving the season against Little Rock and keeping the Tigers in the winners bracket vs. UCLA. You might be staring at your new Friday night guy.
Whether it was Ethan Frey, who came into his own this season as arguably LSU’s best hitter.
Whether it was Steven Milam, whose postseason heroics need to be studied by scientists at Harvard. He’s the best shortstop in the country and the clutchest hitter I’ve ever seen.
Whether it was Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson, the best 1-2 punch in college baseball. Most teams are fortunate to have one ace over the course of a season. This year, LSU fans got to watch two in the same rotation. I hope you enjoyed.
Whether it was Michael Braswell III, who made up for his struggles at the plate with his gold glove in the field. You don’t win a national championship without him.
Whether it was Derek Curiel, the best freshman in college baseball, a hit machine and the toughest out on the team. It’s scary to think about the player he is, and the player he’ll become.
Whether it was Jake Brown, a Louisiana kid who grew up two hours away from The Box, dreaming to one day play baseball for LSU.
Whether it was transfers like Danny Dickinson, Luis Hernandez and Chris Stanfield, who were the perfect fit for a program not built for everybody.
Whether it was Zac Cowan, who saved his best for last when his team needed him most.
Whether it was the rain delays, and all those long, exhausting hours at The Box that made nights like Sunday that much sweeter.
I will never forget any of it. Whether you like it or not.
So as one chase ends, a new chase begins. And lucky us: there’s no head coach in the country I’d rather have by our side.
The guy who eats, sleeps and breathes LSU Baseball. The guy who has won two national championships in four years. The guy who is always grateful but never satisfied.
“Get ready for more,” said LSU’s AD, as he was interviewed by a reporter on the field.
We’ll be ready. And there’s no question our skipper will be, too.