Way to go Grayson!!!! Excited for you! Congratulations!!!

Crazy scene in Lafayette at the Tigue image from @RaginReview facebook page

The greatest to ever do it. ⚾️🙏He arrived @LSU in 1984 while I worked @WAFB9Sports and some of my earliest assignments @espn were College Baseball ⚾️ in the spring and calling games as he was building his Dynasty and transforming an entire sport. Greatest in every way! He’ll be sorely missed by all he touched there whether as Baseball Coach, Director of Athletics, or just friend. May God Bless him and his family. He & his beloved wife pillars of the community now reunited in heaven. 🙏🙏RIP Skipper.

College baseball’s Mt. Rushmore of coaches has to include Dedeaux, Skip & Augie. 4th spot a great debate but unquestionably Skip is top 3 if not the best coach ever. Won in several eras and built a durable, amazing fan base at LSU. May his memory be a blessing.

RIP to a legend, the great Skip Bertman, who transformed LSU into the nation’s preeminent baseball program. He won national titles in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 2000. Later as LSU’s AD, he presided over two national title football teams, first in 2003, led by Nick Saban, and then in 2007, by Les Miles, whom Bertman hired. nytimes.com/athletic/7513197…

Leave it to the great @marketheridge to pen a beautiful tribute to the one-of-a-kind Skip Bertman. A must-read for @LSUbaseball fans and everyone else too: d1baseball.com/stories/ether…

I grew up knowing two things about Skip Bertman: He coached LSU and I wanted Mississippi State to beat him. It took me a few decades to realize I probably owe him a thank you. I wrote about Skip, baseball and the world he helped build: louisianasports.net/2026/08/…

It’s a sad day. This morning we lost a legend. Skip Bertman was simple the best. His impact on College Baseball will live on forever. I feel so blessed to have had him as a coach and a mentor. He meant so much to so many. I will miss you, Coach.

Skip Bertman was one of my favorite people I got to cover. And his 2000 team was one of my favorite to cover. What I loved most about Skip was his sense of humor. When @LSUbaseball played in an NCAA regional in Tuscaloosa, Skip told us reporters, “if you need anything we will be staying at the La Quinta, which as you may know, in Spanish, means ‘next to Denny’s.’” Another time, the Tigers were starting the season with a Saturday doubleheader at Alex Box stadium instead of a Friday night game to begin a series. Skip explained that Friday was his wedding anniversary, so he had a choice of ticking off either 8,000 rabid LSU fans, or one wife. He said the choice was easy. Skip built a powerhouse program, and then a powerhouse athletic department. His impact will endure. RIP 🙏🏾

As a very young junior college coach, I once called the legendary Skip Bertman. I had never met him before this call. I asked him about his one page motivational handouts. He explained his process to me. About a week later, I get a huge box in the mail. He had photo copied every one of his handouts and sent them to me with a kind note. Well over a thousand pages. This is before the internet and email as we know it. He did this as the best college baseball coach in the world for someone he had never met. Rest in Peace to the very best of the coaching profession . All of my love to his family and the LSU program.

Skip was simply the best. One of the most important and influential people in the history of college baseball. I cherished every minute that I was able to spend with him over the years. The voice that needed no introduction, you knew who it was the minute he spoke. While his voice may now be silent, his impact on college baseball will be felt for generations. Rest easy and thank you Skip.

A genuine legend. Thinking of the many, many, many people Coach Bertman impacted throughout college baseball and college athletics.

Tonight, I memorialize Jim Toman. Beloved on baseball diamonds across this state. Gregarious. Hilariously funny. He loved baseball, his family, and his pythons (biceps). A true recruiter. A groomer of talent. Beloved. Thanks to Monte Lee, Landon Powell, Stuart Lake and others for coloring in this story- to bring the flavor that Jim Toman brought to any dugout he sat in.

Jim Toman was so much more than my college coach. He was a lifelong friend who made me laugh, made me cry, and taught me what being a member of the Wolfpack was all about—fight, resilience, and never giving up. Love you, Storm. Thank you for everything. ❤️🐺

RIP Storm. We all loved working with you, and getting to call you a friend. No one impacted Gamecock baseball more. Your impact is tremendous!

A story I wrote from 2012 about Jim Toman building the Liberty program. Rest in peace Coach. collegebaseballinsider.com/1…

Hard to put into words what Coach Jim Toman meant to me. I wouldn’t be where I am without him. He was truly one of a kind and left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed. Thank you for everything, Coach.

Rest in Peace, Coach Toman.

Sending my thoughts and prayers to the family of Jim Toman. Was very fortunate to get to know him, particularly as head coach at Liberty. An incredible coach and even better person. Thinking of all the players, coaches and families he impacted over his career.

This pretty much sums up the first day of NCAA Tournament action.