DJ McCarthy named LSU WR coach

D.J. McCarthy, who spent the 2006 season at UCLA, has been named LSU’s wide receivers coach, head coach Les Miles announced on Wednesday.

The appointment of McCarthy rounds out the Tiger coaching staff. McCarthy takes the place of Todd Monken who departed to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this month.

“What was so attractive about D.J. is his ability to take young receivers and develop them into outstanding players,” Miles said. “He has coached a number of players who have gone on to continue their career in the NFL.

“D.J. is a quality person and he’ll be a good fit for our staff.”

Prior to joining the Bruins, McCarthy held the position of wide receivers coach at Central Florida for two years. While at Central Florida, McCarthy tutored two outstanding wide receivers both of whom earned All-Conference USA acclaim. Brandon Marshall made 74 receptions for 1,195 yards and 11 touchdowns while Mike Walker made 64 catches for 856 yards and eight scores. Marshall had seven games of at least 100 yards and finished the year ranked No. 22 nationally in receiving yards per game (91.9).

Marshall is currently a member of the Denver Broncos.

In his first season with the Golden Knights, McCarthy tutored a group of wide outs that included Tavaris Capers, who finished ranked in the top 10 in UCF history in career touchdown receptions. McCarthy also assisted in the development of Luther Huggins, who led the team with 42 receptions for 585 yards for the first time in his career.

Before arriving at UCF, McCarthy was the receivers coach at Nevada for four seasons (2000-2003) and was instrumental in the development of record-setting receiver Nate Burelson, who led the nation in receptions in 2002 with 138 catches, good for 1,629 yards and 12 touchdowns. Burelson set numerous Nevada and Western Athletic Conference records, including receptions in a game with 19 and receiving yardage in a game with 326.

Three of McCarthy's wide receivers at Nevada joined the NFL ranks following their careers with the Wolf Pack. Burelson was a third round pick of the Minnesota Vikings, while Maurice Mann was a fifth round selection of the Cincinnati Bengals. Mann spent last year with the Minnesota Vikings, while Willie Johnson was a free agent signing of the Miami Dolphins.

McCarthy graduated from the University of Washington in 1994, where he played receiver for the Huskies for three seasons. He was a member of the 1991 National Championship team at UW and was part of two Rose Bowl teams. McCarthy ranked second among wide receivers in touchdown receptions his senior season. He attended Long Beach City College for two years prior to transferring to Washington.

Following Washington, McCarthy played parts of four seasons in the Arena Football League. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Boca Raton High School, where he spent two years (1994-95). He then coached at Ft. Lauderdale High School before moving into the college ranks at West Hills Community College in Coalinga, Calif., where he coached the secondary and special teams.

McCarthy spent two years as a defensive coaches' assistant in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders (1998-99), prior to moving to Nevada. He also served as an intern with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the summer of 1998.

McCarthy was born on July 26, 1971 in Providence, R.I. He and his wife Trisha have three sons.