Jay Johnson opens up on overcoming past CWS heartbreak, leading LSU to victory

LSU capturing the 2023 College World Series title is a redemption story for both the program and their second-year head coach Jay Johnson. In 2017, LSU fell to the Florida Gators, getting swept in the CWS Finals series 2-0. And in 2016, while at Arizona, Johnson’s Wildcats fell to Coastal Carolina 2-1.

Following the Tigers’ 18-4 victory over the Gators, Johnson was asked about overcoming his previous heartbreak in the College World Series and got a little emotional in his response.

“Wow. Might see me crack here. A, because I got started on this coaching journey really early. It’s at the high school level, but I grew up in the house of a legend. He’s the winningest track coach in California history,” said Johnson. “He didn’t lose for like 10 years, like 10 years. And he was a great football coach, offensive coordinator. My heroes were his running backs, and that’s all I wanted to be.

“So, I mean, yeah, that part in itself is something enough. But I sat next to Bill seven years ago today with leaving the tying run on third base in this game and the winning run on second base. And I think about it every single day.”

In 2016, Johnson had Arizona firing on all cylinders as they cruised through their side of the College World Series bracket, going undefeated. And in the final, the Wildcats started hot, winning the first game against the Chanticleers 3- 0. Unfortunately, Arizona would lose the next two games by just one run apiece, ending their dreams of becoming the 2016 College World Series champions.

While Johnson has endured heartbreak in the College World Series before, their victory against Florida was not about him. In his eyes, it was about the team and what they had to endure this season. But that didn’t stop his former Wildcats players from reaching out and congratulating their ex-skipper on climbing to the pinnacle of college baseball.

“And this championship is for this team, and it’s about this team. But personally, part of me feels like I got a little bit of that back tonight for those guys.

“And they texted — we have a group text, the 2016 team. And Friday morning, on the off day, I just walked around the stadium. One of them texted me on there. I said, ‘When we get this done, that’s partly going to be for you guys.'”