Carley McCord, the daughter-in-law of LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, was one of five people who died in a plane crash in Lafayette, La., on Saturday. Her death was confirmed by her husband, Steve Ensminger Jr. She was 30.
The plane was on its way to Atlanta for the Tigers' Peach Bowl matchup against Oklahoma.
McCord, a native of Baton Rouge, La., was a sports reporter who graduated from Northwestern State in 2011 and LSU in 2013 with a bachelor's in broadcast journalism.
She had worked in Cleveland, covering the Cleveland Browns, before returning to radio to host 100.7 The Tiger (Baton Rouge) and 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge. Most recently, she was a digital reporter for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the in-game host for the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans. She also freelanced at Baton Rouge news station WDSU.
“We are devastated by the loss of such an amazing talent and valued member of our WDSU family,” WDSU President and General Manager Joel Vilmenay said in a statement regarding McCord's death. “Carley’s passion for sports journalism and her deep knowledge of Louisiana sports, from high school to the professional ranks, made her an exceptional journalist.
The Saints and Pelicans also issued a statement Saturday afternoon.
Statement from the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans pic.twitter.com/1WhBvJmjI5
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 28, 2019
LSU coach Ed Orgeron spoke to ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe about the crash, saying, "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."
Ensminger will coach in LSU's Peach Bowl matchup vs. Oklahoma, LSU confirmed to the Advocate (Acadiana, La.).
