For those who posed the query within the headline to a school soccer fan 5 years in the past, you’d have been laughed out of the room.
Even earlier than LSU put collectively the most effective groups in faculty soccer historical past in 2019, this was one of the crucial illustrious applications within the nation with a wealthy historical past of success on the gridiron. In the meantime, the one different FBS applications within the Pelican State — Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisiana Tech and Tulane — didn’t have a lot soccer historical past to talk of.
However the Billy Napier period in Lafayette modified that calculus somewhat bit. Napier, who’s now the top coach at Florida, discovered unprecedented success with the Ragin’ Cajuns. They’ve received a minimum of a share of the Solar Belt title in every of the final two seasons and have a 23-2 document in that span. Over that very same interval, LSU is simply 11-12.
Nonetheless, regardless of current success, it might be daring to imagine issues will proceed on with no hitch after Napier’s departure. Louisiana a minimum of maintained continuity, hiring offensive coordinator Michael Desormeaux to exchange the most effective coach in program historical past, however these sorts of hires generally is a bit unpredictable.
It’s for that cause that CBS Sports activities’ Barrett Sallee nonetheless considers the Tigers the highest canine (cat?) within the bayou.
The Tigers have been a catastrophe in every of the final two seasons, however the 2019 nationwide title, coupled with the ninja-like hiring of Brian Kelly away from Notre Dame, has them clinging to their perch atop the Pelican State. The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns have a case on this matter, however we’re going to maintain off on seeing what they appear to be within the post-Billy Napier period.
Regardless of issues reaching a nadir on the again finish of the Ed Orgeron period, LSU appears to be like to be on its method again up after hiring Kelly — the third-winningest energetic head coach within the FBS — away from Notre Dame. Yr 1 could have ups and downs in Baton Rouge, however given the early recruiting returns, that dip isn’t prone to final lengthy.
The state of Louisiana is arguably extra aggressive than it has ever been proper now, however the Tigers nonetheless symbolize the flagship program, and that isn’t prone to change any time quickly.
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