LSU OC Steve Ensminger to Coach Peach Bowl Despite Tragic Death of Daughter-in-Law in Plane Crash
By Mark Powell
Just hours before the biggest game of the LSU Tigers' season, a key member of the coaching staff was given unimaginably sad news.
LSU OC Steve Ensminger, who has helped transform the Tigers' offense into one of the best in the country behind Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow, was informed this afternoon that his daughter-in-law Carley McCord was one of five people killed in a plane crash in Lafayette.
Sports reporter Carley McCord, daughter-in-law of LSU OC Steve Ensminger, died in a plane crash in Louisiana on Saturday morning https://t.co/UWEMGyZNKq
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 28, 2019
McCord had been a sports reporter for ESPN3, COX Sports Television, WDSU New Orleans and others.
Ensminger is still expected to coach the game while dealing with this tragic loss.
The accident occurred Saturday morning near the intersection of Feu Follet and Verot School Road in Lafayette, when the plane struck a vehicle. Five have been confirmed dead at this time.
Oh no. This is absolutely horrible and I could not coach after that. https://t.co/WkhqYGqJ8c
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) December 28, 2019
"Our thoughts and prayers out to him. Steve and his wife, his family are so distraught. Steve is a man. He knows how to handle things," LSU head coach Ed Orgeron told the media.
Ensminger will coach with a heavy heart as the Tigers take on the Oklahoma Sooners at 8 p.m. ET in Atlanta.
Our thoughts are with the families of all the victims at this time.