2009 LSU Tigers football team
The 2009 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Les Miles who served his fifth year at the helm of LSU football. They played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers finished the season 9–4, 5–3 in SEC play, including a loss in the Capital One Bowl, 19–17, against Penn State.
Previous season
In his fourth season as head coach, Les Miles led LSU to a regular season record of 7–5, finishing 3–5 in the SEC. The Tigers were awarded a berth in the 2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl where they faced Georgia Tech. The Tigers easily defeated the Yellow Jackets by a score of 38–3. Miles improved to 4–0 in bowl games as head coach of LSU. LSU completed the 2008 college football season with an 8–5 overall record. The bowl victory also marked the 700th win in LSU Tiger football history. The Tigers look to improve on their 8–5 season in 2009.Before the season
Coaching changes
Following the 2008 season, co-defensive coordinators, Doug Mallory & Bradley Dale Peveto both left LSU. Mallory moved on to New Mexico to become defensive coordinator of the Lobos' football program, while Peveto took over as the head coach of the Northwestern State Demons. The Tigers replaced Mallory and Peveto with new defensive coordinator John Chavis, who left the University of Tennessee after the departure of head coach Phillip Fulmer. Chavis was a Tennessee alum and held the position of defensive coordinator there since 1995. Chavis will also coach linebackers at LSU.Ron Cooper was hired as the new defensive backs coach. Previously, Mallory had coached the defensive backs since 2005. Cooper came to LSU from the University of South Carolina where he spent the past five years coaching on the defensive side of the football.
Earl Lane also left LSU following the 2008. Lane spent 3 seasons as defensive line coach at LSU, but decided it was time to move on. Lane was replaced by Brick Haley. Haley was brought aboard as a veteran defensive line coach who has spent time in both the NFL and the Southeastern Conference.
Finally, Josh Henson, who left to become co-offensive line coach for Missouri, was replaced by Don Yanowsky. Henson came to LSU with Miles in 2005 and served as the Tight Ends coach and recruiting coordinator for the Tigers. Henson has a reputation as of being one of the best recruiters in the nation. Yanowsky will also serve as the Tight Ends coach and Recruiting coordinator, and comes to LSU from Boston College.
Key losses
Offense- Demetrius Byrd, WR Drafted in the 7th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers.
- Brett Helms, C Signed with the Houston Texans as a rookie free agent.
- Quinn Johnson, FB Drafted in the 5th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.
- Herman Johnson, OG Drafted in the 5th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
- Darry Beckwith, LB Signed with the San Diego Chargers as a rookie free agent.
- Marlon Favorite, DT Signed with the Carolina Panthers as a rookie free agent.
- Tyson Jackson, DL Drafted 3rd overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Ricky Jean-Francois, DT Drafted in the 7th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.
- Kirston Pittman, DE Signed with the St. Louis Rams as a rookie free agent, but later released with an injury settlement
- Curtis Taylor, S Drafted in the 7th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.
- Colt David, PK All-time scoring leader for the LSU Tigers.
Returning starters
| Player | Class | Position |
| Joseph Barksdale | Junior | Offensive Tackle |
| Ciron Black | Senior | Offensive Tackle |
| Richard Dickson | Senior | Tight End |
| Lyle Hitt | Senior | Offensive Guard |
| Brandon LaFell | Senior | Wide Receiver |
| Charles Scott | Senior | Running Back |
Defense
| Player | Class | Position |
| Charles Alexander | Senior | Defensive Tackle |
| Harry Coleman | Senior | Linebacker/Safety |
| Chad Jones | Junior | Safety |
| Patrick Peterson | Sophomore | Cornerback |
| Perry Riley | Senior | Linebacker |
| Kelvin Sheppard | Junior | Linebacker |
2009 recruiting class
Spring game
The Tigers held their annual spring game on Saturday April 18, 2009. LSU White defeated LSU Purple 27–0.Pre-season All-SEC honors
- Rahim Alem, third-team DL
- Charles Alexander, second-team DL
- Ciron Black, first-team OL
- Richard Dickson, first-team TE
- Trindon Holiday, third-team RS
- Chad Jones, second-team DB
- Brandon Lafell, second-team WR
- Perry Riley, third-team LB
- Charles Scott, first-team RB
- Terrance Toliver, third-team WR
Pre-season watch lists
- Rahim Alem – 2009 Ted Hendricks Award and Bednarik Award Watch Lists
- Ciron Black – 2009 Outland Trophy Watch List
- Richard Dickson – 2009 John Mackey Award Watch List
- Jordan Jefferson – 2009 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List
- Brandon LaFell – 2009 Biletnikoff Award and Maxwell Award Watch Lists
- Charles Scott – 2009 Doak Walker Award and Maxwell Award Watch Lists
Schedule
Game summaries
Washington
Pregame Line: -18.5Vanderbilt
Pregame Line: -14Louisiana-Lafayette
Pregame Line: -27- LSU improved to 22–0 all-time against the Ragin Cajuns.
Mississippi St.
- LSU has now beaten Mississippi State 10 straight times.
#14 Georgia
- LSU beats Georgia in Athens for the first time since 1987.
#1 Florida
- Largest crowd ever in Tiger Stadium
Auburn
- LSU beats Auburn for the third straight year.
- Marks the start of the longest active home winning streak in college football.
Tulane
- LSU beats the Green Wave for the 18th straight time.
#3 Alabama
- The win marks the first time the Crimson Tide have beaten the Tigers in Tuscaloosa since 1999.
Louisiana Tech
- With the win, LSU improved to 18–1 all-time against Louisiana Tech.
Ole Miss
- LSU has lost to a Houston Nutt coached team 3 straight times.
Arkansas
- LSU defeats the Razorbacks for the first time since 2006. The only bright spot for Arkansas is that they were the only team to outscore LSU in the third quarter this year.
Penn State–Capital One Bowl