LSU Tigers and Coach Jay Johnson Get Redemption Opportunity in CWS Finals Rematch Against 2016 Nemesis Coastal Carolina

In the world of college baseball, there are few moments more gut-wrenching than watching your championship dreams slip away on the sport’s biggest stage. For LSU fans, 2016 remains one of those bitter memories—one that lives not only in the record books but in the hearts of those who wear purple and gold. That summer, Coastal Carolina stunned the Tigers and the nation, toppling traditional powerhouses en route to an improbable national championship. It was a Cinderella story, but for LSU, it was heartbreak.

Now, nearly a decade later, the stage is set for a rare and dramatic rematch. LSU and Coastal Carolina will square off in the 2025 Men’s College World Series championship series, and for the Tigers—and especially for head coach Jay Johnson—it’s more than just a shot at another title. It’s a chance for revenge, redemption, and rewriting a painful chapter in the program’s storied legacy.

The narrative leading into this final is as cinematic as it gets. LSU stormed into Omaha this year behind a mixture of powerhouse offense, gutsy pitching, and timely defense. The Tigers clawed through a loaded bracket featuring Arkansas, Florida State, and a near-collapse against Kentucky, only to emerge with the grit and resilience of a team that simply refuses to lose. Meanwhile, Coastal Carolina has once again embodied the underdog spirit, toppling bigger programs and playing fearless baseball that echoes their magical 2016 run.

But beyond the matchups and metrics, this championship series has layers of meaning for the Tigers’ dugout. Jay Johnson wasn’t the LSU coach back in 2016. In fact, he was on the other side of a different championship heartbreak—coaching Arizona in that same final and losing to Coastal Carolina. That makes this a personal mission for Johnson. The man who’s built LSU into a juggernaut since taking over now gets to face the same program that denied him his first national title nearly a decade ago.

For Johnson, the ghosts of 2016 have never fully faded. He’s often spoken about how close Arizona came, how one or two bounces could have changed everything. That heartbreak fueled his drive, sharpened his approach, and molded him into the coach LSU eventually pursued. His message to the 2025 Tigers has been simple but powerful: Play with urgency, stay composed, and embrace the moment. Now, with a championship within reach and a familiar foe on the horizon, Johnson has the opportunity to turn past pain into ultimate triumph.

And what a storybook finish it would be for LSU. The Tigers are seeking their eighth national title, and this season’s squad has shown the talent and toughness that championship teams are made of. Dylan Crews may be gone to the big leagues, but players like Gavin Guidry, Tommy White, and freshman phenom Cade Anderson have stepped up in defining ways. LSU’s pitching staff, led by sophomore ace Luke Holman, has found its rhythm at just the right time. In Omaha, it’s been a total team effort—something that Johnson has preached all year long.

The series against Arkansas in Omaha was particularly revealing. After blowing a three-run lead late in Game 1, the Tigers bounced back with poise and maturity to edge the Razorbacks in a walk-off thriller. Then came the epic comeback against Kentucky—one of the greatest in CWS history—where LSU erased a six-run deficit to punch its ticket to the finals. That never-say-die attitude has become this team’s signature, and it’s clear they’re playing for something bigger than themselves.

Coastal Carolina, however, won’t be intimidated. The Chanticleers may not have the household names or blueblood reputation of LSU, but what they do have is experience, chemistry, and a fearless mentality that’s carried them to the final series. Coach Gary Gilmore’s club has thrived on manufacturing runs, making smart plays, and turning defensive gems into momentum swings. They’ve knocked off multiple ranked opponents en route to the finals and enter the showdown with LSU riding a wave of belief not unlike the one they surfed in 2016.

This series promises to be a fascinating clash of styles. LSU is the heavy-hitting titan, capable of changing the game with one swing. Coastal Carolina is the surgical tactician, capable of winning ugly and finding ways to scrap and claw through pressure moments. Both teams are elite in their own right, but the emotional stakes—particularly for LSU and Jay Johnson—add a whole new dimension to this matchup.

For the Tigers, it’s also a chance to silence the doubters. While LSU is no stranger to Omaha, critics have questioned whether the program has truly lived up to its recruiting dominance in recent years. Despite deep runs, the Tigers have not captured a title since 2009. Winning this championship—against a team that delivered a historic heartbreak—would validate Johnson’s process and cement his place in LSU lore alongside Skip Bertman and Paul Mainieri.

It’s rare that college baseball offers such a perfectly constructed rematch, but fate seems to have woven this moment with precision. For LSU fans, the pain of 2016 is still raw. That team was loaded, expected to go all the way, only to watch Coastal celebrate on the biggest stage. The image of the Chanticleers dogpiling in Omaha has lingered like an unwelcome memory. Now, there’s a chance to replace that image—with one of purple and gold glory.

Inside the LSU locker room, the tone has been focused but hungry. Veterans who have experienced the highs and lows of SEC play know how fleeting these opportunities are. Younger players are embracing the moment, fueled by the energy of Omaha and the guidance of their coaches. And Jay Johnson—finally back in the same position he was in nine years ago—has a chance to close the circle on a career-defining journey.

This isn’t just about payback. It’s about progress. It’s about how adversity shapes champions. It’s about the long, winding road from heartbreak to hope. And if LSU can complete the mission this time around, it will be one of the most satisfying titles in school history—not just because it would be a national championship, but because of who they would beat to get it.

As the first pitch of the championship series approaches, the atmosphere is electric. Two programs—one with a legacy to protect, another with a legacy to prove—will go head-to-head for the most coveted trophy in college baseball. For LSU and Jay Johnson, it’s more than a series. It’s a shot at revenge, at redemption, and at putting the past to rest once and for all.

In the end, that’s what makes Omaha magical. Not just the home runs, the strikeouts, or the dogpiles. But the stories. The emotions. The comebacks. The second chances. And for LSU, the chance to right a wrong from 2016 is as powerful a motivator as any.

This isn’t just baseball. This is personal. And for the Tigers, it’s time.