The drama regarding the conditions in Texas’ visiting locker room has not gone away. Not long after LSU beat Texas, 45-38, in Austin on a muggy Saturday night, word got out that LSU had been informed by Louisiana Tech that there was no air conditioning in Texas’ visiting locker room. The Tigers ended up bringing blowers to ensure they didn’t cramp up at halftime, but the aftermath of the issue continues to play out in public.
Ed Orgeron says LSU's locker room at Texas didn't have air conditioning despite the Austin heat https://t.co/42uz6R9fzr
— SI College Football (@si_ncaafb) September 10, 2019
During his weekly press conference on Monday night, LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron told the media that his staff had been informed by Louisiana Tech that Texas did not have functioning air conditioning in the visitor locker room at Darrell K. Royal Stadium.
“It wasn’t great, but it was better. At least we had air in there,” Orgeron said. “[Louisiana Tech] didn’t have air. We had some blowers in there. I don’t think that caused as much as going out there and having to play 93 plays on defense. I think that had a lot to do with it.”
That didn’t sit well with Texas, and Longhorns’ AD Chris Del Conte wasted little time responding to Orgeron’s claim. Texas didn’t issue a full-throated denial on the matter, but the Longhorns certainly attempted to cast doubt on the state of their visitors’ locker room.
Official statement from @_delconte on the visitor locker room. pic.twitter.com/zSdZcfSfSO
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) September 9, 2019
Louisiana Tech head coach Skip Holtz was asked about what Texas’ locker room was like considering the Bulldogs traveled there the week before, and Orgeron’s statement that his staff found out about the matter from Louisiana Tech led to Holtz becoming the arbitrator. However, Holtz demurred when it came to saying anything definitive about the locker room.
Louisiana Tech head coach Skip Holtz weighs in on whether Texas had AC in visitor locker room: “I do not know the answer. I wasn’t the one who talked to anybody in Baton Rouge. I don’t remember it being like a sauna, and I don’t remember it being cool.”
— The Morning Drive (@MorningDrive977) September 10, 2019
The whole matter should blow over by the time this week’s games roll around, but it will be a hot topic next year when Texas travels to Baton Rouge to take on LSU.
H/T ESPN and CBS Sports
