Bo Rein was hired November 30, 1979 after four seasons at
North Carolina State as the successor to
Charles McClendon, who compiled a 137–59–7 record in 18 seasons. Rein's tenure was cut short after only 42 days when he died in a plane crash January 10, 1980.
Jerry Stovall, a former LSU All-American and nine-year
National Football League veteran with the
St. Louis Cardinals, was approved as Rein's successor approximately 36 hours after the plane crash.
LSU was tied for first place in the
Southeastern Conference following a Nov. 1 victory over
Ole Miss, but subsequent one-sided road losses to
Alabama and
Mississippi State led bowls to snub the Tigers. LSU ended on a high note by drubbing bowl-bound Tulane.
As of
2021, this is the last LSU team to finish with a winning record and not be invited to a bowl.
Bo Rein was hired November 30, 1979 after four seasons at
North Carolina State as the successor to
Charles McClendon, who compiled a 137–59–7 record in 18 seasons. Rein's tenure was cut short after only 42 days when he died in a plane crash January 10, 1980.
Jerry Stovall, a former LSU All-American and nine-year
National Football League veteran with the
St. Louis Cardinals, was approved as Rein's successor approximately 36 hours after the plane crash.
LSU was tied for first place in the
Southeastern Conference following a Nov. 1 victory over
Ole Miss, but subsequent one-sided road losses to
Alabama and
Mississippi State led bowls to snub the Tigers. LSU ended on a high note by drubbing bowl-bound Tulane.
As of
2021, this is the last LSU team to finish with a winning record and not be invited to a bowl.