Former LSU tight ends coach Steve Ensminger was named the team’s interim offensive coordinator on Sunday.
At 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Ensminger will make his play-calling debut against Missouri — an opponent he knows well.
Ensminger was under center for LSU’s first and only contest in its 20-15 loss against Missouri in the 1978 Liberty Bowl.
He added 170 yards in the contest, but often missed the players clad in purple and gold. In Ensminger’s 31 pass attempts, he completed 17 and threw four interceptions.
Saturday will represent Ensminger’s fifth stint as an offensive coordinator. He previously served in the role at McNeese State, Louisiana Tech, Texas A&M and Clemson throughout his 34-year coaching career.
Ensminger, and newly appointed LSU head coach Ed Orgeron are ready to tweak the offense previously run by Cam Cameron.
“Under the guidance of new coordinator Steve Ensminger, the LSU offense will look to provide fireworks with adjustments in its style of play,” said LSU athletic director Joe Alleva.
LSU’s quarterback Danny Etling, though initially upset when news surfaced of Cameron’s departure, will lead Orgeron and Ensminger’s offensive change when he starts this weekend under center.
“I was very upset and sad to see someone who I consider a very close friend of mine [go], and I don’t get to play under him anymore,” said quarterback Danny Etling.
Orgeron said he wants to “flip the script” for LSU’s now-two loss season — which begins with LSU’s offense.
“We all have to move forward and salvage what we can from this season,” Etling said.
Prior to his time on LSU’s campus, Ensminger — who will sit in the coaches booth on Saturday — grew up a Tiger fan living in the Baton Rouge area, and fulfilled the same position Etling does today.
“He’s a guy that bleeds purple and gold,” Orgeron said.
Ensminger played quarterback for LSU in 1976-79 alongside Tiger legends like running back Charles Alexander and LSU’s winningest coach Charles McClendon.
Now, after the recent coaching changes, Ensminger will once again have a great deal of responsibility against the program that bested him as a player in 1978.
He threw for a career 2,770 yards and 16 touchdowns while at LSU and was named to the SEC’s All-Freshman team in 1976.