Auburn student assistant dies before LSU game

AUBURN, Ala – Joe Bagwell, a student assistant on Auburn's football team, died unexpectedly before Saturday night's game against LSU.

Coach Gene Chizik opened his postgame news conference by announcing Bagwell died "shortly before the game."

Chizik said he had "a very heavy heart for myself and a lot of our players." He said Bagwell's sudden death was "tragic."

An Auburn spokesman said the 23-year-old Bagwell was from Huntsville, Ala. Bagwell was in his first season as a student coach after working as a student trainer in 2011.

Chizik provided no details on the cause of Bagwell's death but said "our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."