The 2009 LSU Tigers football team represented
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University (officially Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, commonly referred to as LSU) is a public land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The university was founded in 1860 nea ...
in the
2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season
9 (nine) is the natural number following and preceding .
Evolution of the Arabic digit
In the beginning, various Indians wrote a digit 9 similar in shape to the modern closing question mark without the bottom dot. The Kshatrapa, Andhra and ...
. The team's head coach was
Les Miles
Leslie Edwin Miles (born November 10, 1953) is a former American football coach. He most recently served as the head coach at Kansas. His head coaching career began with the Oklahoma State Cowboys, where he coached from 2001 to 2004. Following t ...
who served his fifth year at the helm of LSU football. They played their home games at
Tiger Stadium in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge ( ; ) is a city in and the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. Located the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, it is the parish seat of East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana's most populous parish—the equivalent of counties i ...
. The Tigers finished the season 9–4, 5–3 in
SEC play, including a loss in the
Capital One Bowl
The Citrus Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The bowl is operated by Florida Citrus Sports, a non-profit group that also organizes the Cheez-It Bowl and Florida Classic.
The gam ...
, 19–17, against
Penn State #Redirect Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a Public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related Land-grant university, land-grant research university with campu ...
.
Previous season
In his fourth season as head coach,
Les Miles
Leslie Edwin Miles (born November 10, 1953) is a former American football coach. He most recently served as the head coach at Kansas. His head coaching career began with the Oklahoma State Cowboys, where he coached from 2001 to 2004. Following t ...
led LSU to a regular season record of 7–5, finishing 3–5 in the SEC. The Tigers were awarded a berth in the
2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl where they faced
Georgia Tech
The Georgia Institute of Technology, commonly referred to as Georgia Tech or, in the state of Georgia, as Tech or The Institute, is a public research university and institute of technology in Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 1885, it is part of ...
. The Tigers easily defeated the Yellow Jackets by a score of 38–3. Miles improved to 4–0 in bowl games as head coach of LSU. LSU completed the 2008 college football season with an 8–5 overall record. The bowl victory also marked the 700th win in LSU Tiger football history. The Tigers look to improve on their 8–5 season in 2009.
Before the season
Coaching changes
Following the 2008 season, co-defensive coordinators, Doug Mallory & Bradley Dale Peveto both left LSU. Mallory moved on to
New Mexico
)
, population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano)
, seat = Santa Fe
, LargestCity = Albuquerque
, LargestMetro = Tiguex
, OfficialLang = None
, Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...
to become defensive coordinator of the Lobos' football program, while Peveto took over as the head coach of the
Northwestern State Demons
The Northwestern State University athletic teams go by the Demons, with women's athletic teams generally called the Lady Demons, and its mascot is Vic the Demon. Once a member of the SIAA conference, the school now competes in the Southland Conf ...
. The Tigers replaced Mallory and Peveto with new
defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator is a coach responsible for a gridiron football (American football) team's defense. Generally, the defensive coordinator, the offensive coordinator and the special teams coordinator represent the second level of a team's c ...
John Chavis
John Chavis (c. 1763–June 15, 1838) was a free Black educator and Presbyterian minister in the American South during the early 19th century. Born in Oxford, North Carolina, he fought for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary ...
, who left the
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee (officially The University of Tennessee, Knoxville; or UT Knoxville; UTK; or UT) is a public land-grant research university in Knoxville, Tennessee. Founded in 1794, two years before Tennessee became the 16th state, ...
after the departure of head coach
Phillip Fulmer
Phillip Edward Fulmer Sr. (born September 1, 1950) is a former American football player, coach, and athletic director at the University of Tennessee. He served as head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers football team from 1992 to 2008, compiling ...
. Chavis was a Tennessee alum and held the position of defensive coordinator there since 1995. Chavis will also coach linebackers at LSU.
Ron Cooper was hired as the new
defensive back
In gridiron football, defensive backs (DBs), also called the secondary, are the players on the defensive side of the ball who play farthest back from the line of scrimmage. They are distinguished from the other two sets of defensive players, the ...
s coach. Previously, Mallory had coached the defensive backs since 2005. Cooper came to LSU from the
University of South Carolina where he spent the past five years coaching on the defensive side of the football.
Earl Lane also left LSU following the 2008. Lane spent 3 seasons as defensive line coach at LSU, but decided it was time to move on. Lane was replaced by
Brick Haley
Brick Haley (born May 16, 1966) is an American football coach and former player. He currently is the defensive line coach for the Purdue Boilermakers.
Coaching career
Early career
Previously, Haley was the defensive coordinator and linebackers ...
. Haley was brought aboard as a veteran
defensive line
In gridiron football, a lineman is a player who specializes in play at the line of scrimmage. The linemen of the team currently in possession of the ball are the offensive line, while linemen on the opposing team are the defensive line. A numbe ...
coach who has spent time in both the NFL and the Southeastern Conference.
Finally, Josh Henson, who left to become co-offensive line coach for
Missouri
Missouri is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee ...
, was replaced by Don Yanowsky. Henson came to LSU with Miles in 2005 and served as the Tight Ends coach and recruiting coordinator for the Tigers. Henson has a reputation as of being one of the best recruiters in the nation. Yanowsky will also serve as the Tight Ends coach and Recruiting coordinator, and comes to LSU from
Boston College
Boston College (BC) is a private Jesuit research university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Founded in 1863, the university has more than 9,300 full-time undergraduates and nearly 5,000 graduate students. Although Boston College is classifie ...
.
Key losses
Offense
*
Demetrius Byrd
Demetrius Byrd (born June 30, 1986) is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisiana State University.
Early years
Byrd pla ...
, WR Drafted in the 7th round of the
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, New York, on April 25 and 26, 2009. T ...
by the
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers were a professional American football team that played in San Diego from 1961 until the end of the 2016 season, before relocating to Los Angeles, where the franchise had played its inaugural 1960 season. The team is now ...
.
*
Brett Helms, C Signed with the
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston. The Texans compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division, and play their home ga ...
as a rookie free agent.
*
Quinn Johnson
Quinn Marcus Johnson (born September 30, 1986) is a former American football fullback. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Johnson was a part of the Packers' Super Bowl XLV championship team as they ...
, FB Drafted in the 5th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. It ...
.
*
Herman Johnson, OG Drafted in the 5th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Cardinals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) West division, and play t ...
.
Defense
*
Darry Beckwith, LB Signed with the San Diego Chargers as a rookie free agent.
*
Marlon Favorite, DT Signed with the
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers compete in the National Football League (NFL), as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) South division. T ...
as a rookie free agent.
*
Tyson Jackson, DL Drafted 3rd overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) West division.
The tea ...
.
*
Ricky Jean-Francois
Ricky Barkley Jean Francois (born November 23, 1986) is a former American football defensive tackle. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft, and played college football at Louisiana State University ( ...
, DT Drafted in the 7th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers (also written as the San Francisco Forty-Niners) are a professional American football team based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The 49ers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the league's National ...
.
*
Kirston Pittman, DE Signed with the St. Louis Rams as a rookie free agent, but later released with an injury settlement
*
Curtis Taylor, S Drafted in the 7th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.
Special teams
*
Colt David
Colt Justin David (born November 26, 1985) is a former American football placekicker who played one season with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Louisiana State University and attended Gra ...
, PK All-time scoring leader for the LSU Tigers.
Returning starters
Offense
Defense
2009 recruiting class
Spring game
The Tigers held their annual spring game on Saturday April 18, 2009. LSU White defeated LSU Purple 27–0.
Pre-season All-SEC honors
*Rahim Alem, third-team DL
*Charles Alexander, second-team DL
*Ciron Black, first-team OL
*Richard Dickson, first-team TE
*Trindon Holiday, third-team RS
*Chad Jones, second-team DB
*Brandon Lafell, second-team WR
*Perry Riley, third-team LB
*Charles Scott, first-team RB
*Terrance Toliver, third-team WR
Pre-season watch lists
*Rahim Alem – 2009
Ted Hendricks Award
The Ted Hendricks Award is given annually to college football's top defensive end. The award is named after Ted Hendricks, a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame, and is presented by his own foundation. In ...
and
Bednarik Award
The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the defensive player in college football as judged by the Maxwell Football Club to be the best in the United States. The award is named for Chuck Bednarik, a former college and professional Americ ...
Watch Lists
*Ciron Black – 2009
Outland Trophy
The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best college football interior lineman in the United States as adjudged by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named an All-Ame ...
Watch List
*Richard Dickson – 2009
John Mackey Award
The John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding tight end. Established in 2000 by the Nassau County Sports Commission, the award is given annually to the tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, ac ...
Watch List
*
Jordan Jefferson
Jordan Jamal Jefferson (born August 25, 1990) is a former American football quarterback. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Jefferson played college football for the LSU Tigers of the Southeastern Con ...
– 2009
Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award
The Davey O'Brien Award, officially the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, named after Davey O'Brien, is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by the Davey O'Brien Foundation to be the best of all National C ...
Watch List
*Brandon LaFell – 2009
Biletnikoff Award
The Fred Biletnikoff Award is presented annually to the most outstanding receiver in American college football by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc. (TQCF), an independent not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The award was creat ...
and
Maxwell Award
The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the college football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best all ...
Watch Lists
*Charles Scott – 2009
Doak Walker Award
Since 1990 the Doak Walker Award honors the top running back in college football in the United States. It is named in honor of Doak Walker, a former running back who played for the SMU Mustangs from 1945 to 1949 and in the National Football League ...
and Maxwell Award Watch Lists
Schedule
Game summaries
Washington
Pregame Line:
LSU Tigers Team Page
/ref> -18.5
Vanderbilt
Pregame Line: -14
Louisiana-Lafayette
Pregame Line: -27
* LSU improved to 22–0 all-time against the Ragin Cajuns.
Mississippi St.
Pregame Line: -12.5
*LSU has now beaten Mississippi State 10 straight times.
#14 Georgia
Pregame Line: +3.5
*LSU beats Georgia in Athens for the first time since 1987.
#1 Florida
Pregame Line: +10
*Largest crowd ever in Tiger Stadium
Auburn
Pregame Line: -7.5
*LSU beats Auburn for the third straight year.
*Marks the start of the longest active home winning streak in college football.
Tulane
Pregame Line: -36.5
*LSU beats the Green Wave for the 18th straight time.
#3 Alabama
Pregame Line: +7
*The win marks the first time the Crimson Tide have beaten the Tigers in Tuscaloosa since 1999.
Louisiana Tech
Pregame Line: -23
*With the win, LSU improved to 18–1 all-time against Louisiana Tech.
Ole Miss
Pregame Line: +4.5
*LSU has lost to a Houston Nutt coached team 3 straight times (Arkansas 2007, Ole Miss 2008 & 2009).
Arkansas
Pregame Line: -4
*LSU defeats the Razorbacks for the first time since 2006. The only bright spot for Arkansas is that they were the only team to outscore LSU in the third quarter this year.
Penn State–Capital One Bowl
Rankings
Roster
2009 Louisiana State University Football Roster and Bios http://www.lsusports.net/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=5200&SPID=2164&SPSID=27812
Coaching staff
2009 Louisiana State University Football Coaches and Bios http://www.lsusports.net/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=5200&SPID=2164&SPSID=28715
LSU Tigers in the 2010 National Football League Draft
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/2010.htm
References
{{LSU Tigers football navbox
LSU
Louisiana State University (officially Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, commonly referred to as LSU) is a public land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The university was founded in 1860 near ...
LSU Tigers football seasons
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football program, also known as the Fighting Tigers, represents Louisiana State University in college football. The Tigers compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) an ...