One of the new assistant coaches on the LSU football team has finally made his presence known in Baton Rouge.
New wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales was formally introduced to the media after practice Monday. He came to LSU after spending five years as Florida’s wide receivers coach.
“It’s all new. It’s been fresh and it’s been awesome since I’ve been here,” Gonzales said. “I’m just trying to get my feet wet and learn everything. It’s a faster pace obviously with the bowl coming up around the corner.”
Gonzales is taking over for the departing D.J. McCarthy, who resigned Dec. 9.
Gonzales will serve as both wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator, a job that did not previously exist on the LSU staff.
He said his role is to “expand” the passing game along with offensive coordinator Gary Crowton.
“The biggest thing is I get an opportunity to work with Gary,” Gonzales said. “Gary is the offensive coordinator — we all know that. It just gives me an opportunity to express a little bit more than others, I guess, at some time or another. But it doesn’t change much as far as that point.”
Gonzales said he has spent a week on campus and has already done some recruiting for LSU.
“I’ve been on the road a couple times already,” he said. “I’ve been out to see a couple of the prospects, which has been really good. It’s been a great response from the players.”
Gonzales also said he has known Crowton “for a long time” and also previously coached with LSU offensive line coach Greg Studrawa at Bowling Green.
Sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson said Gonzales has already added more plays to the LSU offense.
He said having Gonzales as a passing game coordinator will help LSU open up its playbook.
“[Gonzales] is more of a southern-style receivers coach,” Jefferson said. “Coach McCarthy was more of a West Coast guy, one who was all about the steps. Coach Gonzales is all about speed … Coach Gonzales and Coach Crowton have the type of relationship to where they would want to open it up more.”
 
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