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Bill Arnsparger
By Ethan Levine
Last Updated:
Bill Arnsparger spent most of his coaching career in the NFL, but he did serve as head coach at LSU for three seasons from 1984-1986, leading the Tigers to the SEC title in ’86. Arnsparger never lost more than three games in a season at LSU, posting an 8-3-1 record in 1984 and a 9-2-1 record in 1985. His ’86 squad finished 9-3 and 5-1 in the SEC to win LSU’s first conference title since 1970. Arnsparger never finished worse than second in the SEC standings. He was honored as the SEC Coach of the Year in 1984 and again in 1986.
His teams reached bowl games in all three of his seasons as LSU – twice appearing in the Sugar Bowl – but they lost all three times. He resigned from LSU following the 1986 season to become the athletic director at the University of Florida. He would later return to the NFL as an assistant coach before retiring from coaching for good. The Kentucky native also spent time in the SEC as an assistant at UK from 1954-1961.
Coaching History | Team | Years |
---|---|---|
Defensive Coordinator | San Diego Chargers | 1992-1994 |
Head Coach | LSU Tigers | 1984-1986 |
Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator | Miami Dolphins | 1976-1983 |
Head Coach | New York Giants | 1974-1976 |
Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator | Miami Dolphins | 1973 |
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach | Miami Dolphins | 1970-1972 |
Defensive Line Coach | Baltimore Colts | 1964-1969 |
Assistant Coach | Tulane Green Wave | 1962-1963 |
Offensive Line Coach | Kentucky Wildcats | 1954-1961 |
Assistant Coach | Ohio State Buckeyes | 1951-1953 |
Assistant Coach | Miami Redhawks | 1950 |
A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.