LSU defensive backs coach Ron Cooper leaves Tigers for Bucs

FEBRUARY 22, 2012

The Bucs hope to be in a position to consider selecting Louisiana State cornerback Morris Claiborne, one of the top talents in the NFL draft, with the No. 5 overall pick.

On Wednesday, they hired the coach that knows Claiborne best.

LSU defensive backs coach Ron Cooper has left the Tigers to take the same position with the Buccaneers, the school confirmed.

Claiborne, 22, won the Jim Thorpe award as the nation's top defensive back in college football.

Under Cooper, the Tigers' secondary accounted for 16 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries and 12 forced fumbles. LSU led the nation in turnover margin (+1.69) and ranked fifth in total interceptions with 18.

The Tigers allowed just seven passing touchdowns all season, the fewest by an LSU team since it allowed only five in 1989.

Posted by Rick Stroud at 11:03:45 pm on February 22, 2012 | Permalink | Comments

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