Skip Bertman

Skip Bertman was the coach of the USA baseball team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Bertman grew up in Miami and attended the University of Miami where he played on the baseball team. After college he became a high school coach, leading Miami Beach High School to the Florida State Championship and finishing runner-up twice in 11 years.

He then moved to his alma mater as an associate head coach from 1976-83, helping them win the NCAA title in 1982. In 1983 Bertman was recruited by Louisiana State University (LSU) to become their head coach where he became one of the most renowned college coaches in the United States.

Over an 18-year career Bertman led LSU to 16 NCAA tournament appearances, 11 College World Series appearances, seven Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships, and five NCAA titles. His career record as a head coach was 870 wins and 330 losses for a winning percentage of .724. His NCAA tournament record of a .754 winning percentage is the best ever among college coaches.

Bertman retired as LSU baseball coach in 2001 but was named the school’s athletic director, a role he held through 2008. In that time he oversaw an athletic department that won two national titles in football (American) and six NCAA team championships in track & field, three by the men and three by the women.