By Scooter Hobbs

shobbs@americanpress.com

One of Lake Charles’ most storied athletes succumbed to the coronavirus pandemic.

Orlando McDaniel, a two-sport star at Lake Charles High and LSU, died Friday night in the Dallas area where he resided.

He was 59.

LSU track coach Dennis Shaver told The Advocate of Baton Rouge that McDaniel fell ill with the virus shortly after returning from a trip to Washington, D.C.

Born in Shreveport, McDaniel spent most of his adult life coaching track after a brief NFL career as a second-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 1982. He was the 50th overall and pick and made no catches in three games.

During his time at Lake Charles High he was an all-state wide receiver in football along with the running the nation’s best time (13.5 seconds) in the 120-yard hurdles and being part of the Wildcats’ 880-yard relay team that set the national high school record.

As an LSU receiver he was best known as a deep threat in an era when the Tigers didn’t often throw, finishing second in the Southeastern Conference in 1981 with 17.5 yards per catch on 41 receptions.

In track he was a three-time All-American, in 1980 for the 110-meter hurdles and in 1981 for the for the 60- and 110-meter hurdles.

He won the SEC 110-meter hurdles in 1980 and finished second the NCAA track meet in the event.

“He was such a tremendous athlete in both sports,” Shaver said. “But the love he had for track and field was really special. We’re fortunate that people like him get involved with our youth.”

McDaniel founded the North Texas Cheetahs Youth Track Club in 2003 and was one of the nation’s most respected coaches of young athletes.

“He was one of the most important people in our sport,” Shaver said. “He had to persuade youth to spend their summers doing something productive. Orlando had essentially dedicated his life to it. … He’s sorely going to be missed.”

One of his top pupils, Morgann Faith, tweeted that “He put so much effort into making sure every single one of his girls got a chance to run in college. This one hurts my soul more than I can put into words.”

“Orlando was so much more to kids (and) families than just a coach,” the Lake Ridge Track Field club posted on social media. “He was a legend on the track, but his legacy will live on for years to come (with) the hundreds of lives he touched.”

“Not only a great coach but even a better person, who led by example (and) meant so much to not only his athletes (and) their parents but also to the T&F community,” Steve McBride, a part owner of Fastrak Athletix in the Dallas area, said via social media.