LSU has hired former Michigan State head coach and Detroit Lions wide receivers coach Bobby Williams to fill the Tigers’ wide receivers coaching position.
Williams coached the Lions receivers during the 2003 season, but was fired this offseason.
Williams was hired as head coach of Michigan State when Nick Saban departed for LSU in 1999, but was fired two and a half years later following a 49-3 loss to Michigan in 2002.
“Bobby is an outstanding coach and someone that I’m excited about having on our staff here at LSU,” Saban said. “He coached with me for five years at Michigan State, serving as associate head coach so I’ve seen first-hand the type of coach he is.
“We feel that to get a person with Bobby’s experience and knowledge on the offensive side of the football will be a tremendous benefit to our football program.”
Williams guided the Spartans to a 16-17 overall record, which included a 7-5 mark in 2001. Williams coached the Spartans to a 37-34 win over Florida in the 2000 Citrus Bowl in his first game as a head coach.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to join the coaching staff at LSU,” Williams said on Monday. “This is a very exciting time to be at LSU and I’m glad to get a chance to be a part of it.
“I enjoyed working with Coach Saban at Michigan State and I’m looking forward to being on his staff again at LSU.”
Assistants Depart
Wide receiver coach Stan Hixon and defensive backs coach Tim Walton have decided to leave LSU for similar jobs on different teams.
Hixon accepted the wide receiver coach position with the Washington Redskins while Walton accepted the defensive backs coach position with the Miami Hurricanes.
During Walton’s four seasons with the Tigers, LSU wide receivers earned First Team All-American honors three times – Josh Reed in 2000 and 2001 and Michael Clayton in 2003.
Under Hixon’s tutelage, Reed converted from running back to wide receiver and accumulated the school-record for career receiving yards with 3,001.
Walton just recently concluded his first year as defensive backs coach with LSU. As a defensive back unit, LSU ranked first in the Southeastern Conference and third in the nation in pass defense efficiency in 2003.
Punter plans to walk on
Carencro punter Brady Dalfrey has decided to walk on for the Tigers next season. Dalfrey previously committed to Louisiana Tech, but changed his mind after taking an official visit to LSU two weeks ago.
Dalfrey, a left-footed punter, was selected first team Class 5A All-State as a senior. He averaged 47.9 yards per punt and had five punts travel between 61 and 71 yards.
Dalfrey will be competing for the punting job left vacant by graduating senior Donnie Jones.
Florida an LSU receiver hot bed
With the commitment of Xavier Carter, from Melbourne, Fla., Sunday, the wide receiver corps next year will look more like a Florida high school all-star team.
Carter, along with last year Florida signees Dwayne Bowe and Amp Hill, gives LSU three top-ranked wide receiver recruits out of the Sunshine State in the past two seasons.
Hill, from Jacksonville and Bowe, from Miami, both were highly-touted recruits last season. Bowe caught nine passes for 106 yards while Hill missed the 2003 season because of injury.
Tigers shine at Senior Bowl
While the 2003 national champions were being remembered in Tiger Stadium, four Tigers were shining at the Senior Bowl in Mobile.
Wide receiver Devery Henderson had a game-high 120 yards on five receptions, including a 67-yard reception from N.C. State quarterback Philip Rivers.
Defensive tackle Chad Lavalais recorded one tackle and constantly created havoc in the middle of the North offensive line.
Punter Donnie Jones had six punts for an average of 36 yards and consistently pinned the North squad deep in their own territory.
Lineman Stephen Peterman led the way on several runs for the South squad, including a 16-yard touchdown run by Florida State running back Greg Jones
Two more recruits choose LSU
Linebacker Harry Coleman and quarterback/athlete Patrick White have committed to LSU.
Coleman, who is 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, played both wide receiver and linebacker in high school, but was being recruited primarily as a linebacker at LSU. Coleman may struggle with raising his grades so he may sit out a year and come back for 2005.
Coleman’s size and play type is similar to that of Eric Alexander and Adrian Mayes.
White, 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, is from Daphne, Ala. In his senior season, White accounted for around 3,400 total yards.
Open Date Still Open
LSU’s Sept. 4 open date is still open according to LSU Senior Associate Athletics Director Dan Radakovich.
Radakovich said LSU has engaged in discussions with several Universities, but no finalized decision has been made. He would not specify what teams are being discussed to fill the open date.
The open date was a result of Virginia Tech dropping out of their promise to play in Tiger Stadium in 2004. The Hokies plan to make their trip to Baton Rouge in 2007.
Assistant Sports editor Ronnie McLellan contributed to this report.