LSU offensive coordinator steps down due to Parkinson’s disease

A coaching change a month before the start of a football season is never ideal.

But some things are just bigger than America’s most popular sport.

LSU coach Les Miles announced Thursday that Tigers assistant coach Steve Kragthorpe has resigned from his position as the team’s offensive coordinator and will now accept a position as the team’s quarterback’s coach.

That move comes after the former Louisville head coach announced he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

“Our concern is for Steve and his family,” Miles said. “We are all hopeful that he will have the opportunity to coach for a number of years and be at LSU and continue the things he has gotten started here. We will do whatever we can as an LSU football family to help Steve and his family during this difficult time.”

“This is obviously a bit of a blow to myself,” Kragthorpe added. “But, by the same token, we’re a family of great faith and will be exactly where God wants us, and that is at LSU.”

Miles hired Kragthorpe in the offseason to replace Gary Crowton as the team’s offensive coordinator.

Instead of calling plays on gameday, Kragthorpe’s primary responsibility will now be to coach the team’s quarterbacks during the season.

It’s a less demanding position for Kragthorpe, but one just as important, as LSU’s quarterback play has been under fire since the 2007 season.

Kragthorpe said he’s ready for the challenge and looks forward to continuing to work with the Tigers’ staff, whom he lauds as his second family.

“I am very excited to coach the quarterbacks,” Kragthorpe said. “We have a great room. When I was the offensive coordinator before this happened, it was all of us together in the same room. I think that will continue to remain that way. We have a great staff and a great group of guys.”

With Kragthorpe’s resignation as offensive coordinator, LSU assistant coach Greg Studrawa will call offensive plays for the Tigers in the upcoming season. He will receive input from LSU wide receiver coach Billy Gonzales.

Studrawa has served as LSU’s offensive line coach since 2007.

Prior to his time in Baton Rouge, Studrawa served as Bowling Green’s offensive coordinator from 2003-06. Under his watch, the Falcons had the nation’s No. 3 offense in 2003 and were annually among the best in the country in offensive statistics.

Miles said he doesn’t expect LSU’s offense to skip a beat, adding that Kragthorpe will still have his hand in everything the Tigers do in terms of game planning for opponents.

“This promotion for Greg gives us reason to not miss a beat and to continue on,” Miles said. “First, Kragthorpe is going to be in every huddle, every play call and in the press box. He will assist fully with game plan and the passing game will be called with him and Billy Gonzales’s thumb on it. Coach Studrawa will understand how to get it done.”

Kragthorpe didn’t give information regarding his diagnosis. He did say that he’ll make every effort to remain in coaching as long as his health allows.

He hopes to do that at LSU – his new home.

“I hope for the next 10, 12 or 14 years that I can be here at LSU coaching the quarterbacks,” Kragthorpe said. “It is a place that I love. I love the team, the staff and working for Les.”

LSU opens its 2011 season Sept. 3 against Oregon in a game that will be played in Arlington, Texas.

The Tigers were ranked No. 4 in the first ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. The Ducks were ranked No. 3.

Kickoff for that game will be at 7 p.m. and will be telecast on ABC.

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