Skip Bertman’s net worth increased as he transitioned from coaching to leading LSU’s athletic department.
Highlights
- Skip Bertman transformed LSU baseball into a powerhouse, winning five national championships and achieving the highest NCAA tournament winning percentage (.754) in college baseball history.
- Bertman successfully transitioned from legendary coach to influential athletic director, overseeing multiple national championships across various sports and managing a $52 million athletic budget.
- Bertman’s estimated net worth of $5-7 million was built primarily through his $425,000 annual salary as LSU’s athletic director, which continued even after transitioning to his emeritus role focused on fundraising.
Stanley “Skip” Bertman transformed college baseball during his remarkable career at Louisiana State University.
Born on May 23, 1938, in Detroit, Bertman began his coaching journey at Miami Beach High School, where he won a state championship and earned Florida High School Coach of the Year honors three times.
His success led him to the University of Miami, where he served as associate head coach for eight seasons, helping the Hurricanes win the 1982 national championship.
In 1984, Bertman took the helm at LSU and revolutionized the program.
Over 18 seasons, he guided the Tigers to five NCAA baseball national championships (1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 2000), seven Southeastern Conference championships, and 11 College World Series appearances.
His coaching prowess earned him National Coach of the Year honors multiple times.
Bertman compiled an impressive 870-330-3 record for a .724 winning percentage, and his .754 winning percentage in NCAA tournament play remains the highest in college baseball history.
Beyond collegiate success, Bertman led Team USA to a bronze medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
His excellence continued when he transitioned to athletic director at LSU in 2001, overseeing multiple national championships across various sports before retiring to an emeritus role in 2008.
Skip Bertman’s Net Worth Grew SIgnificantly Over the Years
Skip Bertman’s financial standing reflects his extraordinary achievements in college athletics.
While exact figures remain private, estimates place Bertman’s net worth at approximately $5-7 million.
This wealth stems from his long and distinguished career as both a championship-winning coach and successful athletic director.
During his final years as LSU’s athletic director, Bertman earned an annual salary of $425,000.
This substantial compensation continued even after he stepped down from his primary role in 2008 to become athletic director emeritus, focusing primarily on fundraising efforts.
His three-year contract extension approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors maintained this salary through June 30, 2010.
Bertman’s financial success began during his coaching career, but significantly increased during his tenure as athletic director, where he managed a substantial athletic budget of $52 million.
Under his leadership, LSU experienced unprecedented success across multiple sports, including football national championships in 2003 and 2007, which substantially boosted the university’s athletic revenue.
Beyond his university salary, Bertman likely supplemented his income through speaking engagements, book deals, and endorsements.
His status as one of college baseball’s most legendary coaches – Baseball America voted him the second greatest college baseball coach of the 20th century – afforded him significant earning opportunities outside his university compensation.
Property investments have also contributed to Bertman’s wealth. He and his wife, Sandy maintained their home on Ormond Avenue near LSU since arriving in the early 1980s, though they experienced setbacks when approximately 35% of their home was lost to a fire in 2004.
In 2014, Bertman was also the victim of a home invasion where championship rings and cash were stolen.
Bertman’s legacy continues to generate value. In 2013, LSU officially dedicated the field at Alex Box Stadium as “Skip Bertman Field,” cementing his enduring connection to the program he built.
His induction into numerous halls of fame – including the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (2002), the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2003), and as an inaugural member of the College Baseball Hall of Fame (2006) – has maintained his marketability years after retirement.
Throughout his career, Bertman’s financial acumen extended beyond personal gain.
He implemented strategic programs like seat contributions at Tiger Stadium to fund facility improvements and ensure LSU Athletics’ financial stability.
Under his guidance, LSU completed major upgrades to athletic facilities, including the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes and renovations to Tiger Stadium.
Though Skip Bertman’s wealth represents substantial financial success, his true legacy lies in transforming LSU athletics and college baseball.
Additional Information
- Bertman orchestrated one of college baseball’s most famous plays while coaching at the University of Miami – a deceptive “Grand Illusion” phantom pickoff that caught Wichita State’s Phil Stephenson at second base during the 1982 College World Series.
- Under Bertman’s athletic directorship, LSU became the first school to win SEC titles in both men’s and women’s basketball in the same season, showcasing his ability to develop excellence across multiple sports programs.
- Bertman and his wife Sandy were married for 63 years, raising four daughters together, demonstrating his commitment to family alongside his professional achievements.
