The 2009 LSU Tigers football team represented

Louisiana State University Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, commonly referred to as Louisiana State University (LSU), is an American Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louis ...

in the

2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season The 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season was the highest level of college football competition in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The regular season began on September 3, 2009, and ended o ...

. 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 the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It had a population of 227,470 at the 2020 United States census, making it List of municipalities in Louisiana, Louisiana's second-m ...

. 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 Pop-Tarts Bowl and Florida Classic. The g ...

, 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 ca ...

Previous season

In his fourth season as head coach,

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, GT, and simply Tech or the Institute) is a public research university and institute of technology in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Established in 1885, it has the lar ...

. 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 New Mexico is a state in the Southwestern United States, Southwestern region of the United States. It is one of the Mountain States of the southern Rocky Mountains, sharing the Four Corners region with Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. It also ...

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 Con ...

. The Tigers replaced Mallory and Peveto with new

defensive coordinator A defensive coordinator (DC) is a coach responsible for a gridiron football team's defense. Generally, the defensive coordinator, offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator represent the second level of a team's coaching structure, wit ...

John Chavis, who left the

University of Tennessee The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (or The University of Tennessee; UT; UT Knoxville; or colloquially UTK or Tennessee) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Knoxville, Tennessee, United St ...

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 The University of South Carolina (USC, SC, or Carolina) is a Public university, public research university in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1801 as South Carolina College, It is the flagship of the University of South Car ...

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. Coaching career Early career Previously, Haley was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Baylor (1999–2001) after coaching outside linebackers for ...

. 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 (OL), while linemen on the opposing team are the defensive line (D ...

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 (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') 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 border ...

, 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 university, private Catholic Jesuits, Jesuit research university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1863 by the Society of Jesus, a Catholic Religious order (Catholic), religious order, t ...

Key losses

Offense *

Demetrius Byrd Demetrius Byrd (born June 30, 1986) is an American former professional football wide receiver. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL draft. He played college football at Louisiana State University. Earl ...

, WR Drafted in the 7th round of the

2009 NFL draft The 2009 NFL draft was the 74th 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. The draft c ...

by the

San Diego Chargers The San Diego Chargers were a professional American football team in the National Football League (NFL). The Chargers played in San Diego, California from 1961 until 2016, before relocating back to the Greater Los Angeles area, where the franch ...

. *

Brett Helms Charles Brett Helms (born April 16, 1986) is a former American football center. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football College football is gridiron football that is played by team ...

, 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 as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. The team plays its home games at N ...

as a rookie free agent. *

Quinn Johnson Quinn Marcus Johnson (born September 30, 1986) is an American former professional football fullback. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft. Johnson was a part of the Packers' Super Bowl XLV championshi ...

, 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 of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They ar ...

. * 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) NFC West, West division. The ...

. Defense * Darry Beckwith, LB Signed with the San Diego Chargers as a rookie free agent. *

Marlon Favorite Marlon Dominique Favorite (born June 22, 1986) is a former American football defensive tackle. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Louisiana State University (LSU). 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 of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The t ...

as a rookie free agent. *

Tyson Jackson Anthony Tyson Jackson (born June 6, 1986) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs ...

, 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 of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division. Established in 1959 ...

. *

Ricky Jean-Francois Ricky Barkley Jean Francois (born November 23, 1986) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the San F ...

, 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 and nicknamed the 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 ...

. *

Kirston Pittman Kirston Jarre Pittman is a former American football defensive end. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Louisiana State. Early years As a senior at East St. John High School, Rese ...

, 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, 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. I ...

and

Bednarik Award The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the defensive player of the year 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 profess ...

Watch Lists *Ciron Black – 2009

Outland Trophy The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best college football College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that g ...

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 an American former professional 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 from 2008 ...

– 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 The Doak Walker Award honors the top running back in college football in the United States. Established in 1990, 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 Foot ...

and Maxwell Award Watch Lists

Schedule

Game summaries

Washington

Pregame Line: -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

Source:

References

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LSU Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, commonly referred to as Louisiana State University (LSU), is an American Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louis ...

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 LSU Tigers and Lady Tigers, Tigers compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athle ...