First black LSU football coach Bishop Harris dies at age 82

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (BRPROUD) – LSU announced Thursday, May 30, that the first Black football coach in LSU history passed away on Wednesday.

Bishop Harris, 82, died Wednesday, May 29, in Greensboro, North Carolina.

According to LSU Athletics, Harris became LSU’s first black assistant coach when Bo Rein hired him on Dec. 12, 1979. He was joined by Otis Washington in 1980.

Harris coached the LSU football team’s outside linebackers from 1980 to 1983. According to LSU Athletics, he coached some of the best players at their position, including Lyman White, Tim Joiner, Rydell Malancon and Gregg Dubroc.

After leaving LSU, Harris worked for Notre Dame, Minnesota and North Carolina Central. After his time at North Carolina Central, Harris moved to the NFL, where he coached for the Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers, according to LSU Athletics.

“In the NFL, Harris coached future Pro Football Hall of Famer Curtis Martin with the New York Jets and All-Pro Frank Gore with the 49ers,” LSU Athletics said in a press release.

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