The SEC and college football is mourning the loss of Mississippi State Coach Mike Leach who died last night after suffering a massive heart attack on Sunday. He was 61. Leach was in his third season in Starkville and just led the Bulldogs to an 8-and-4 season and a win over Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl.

He was one of college football’s most colorful personalities and loved to talk about things outside of the sport and also college football’s great traditions. While at Washington State he talked about how cool it is for LSU to have a live mascot on its campus…
cut 19 (11) “…that’s an awesome one”
LSU put out a statement on the death of Mike Leach. It says Leach transformed college football forever. He was an innovator and a visionary, whose authnticity and love for the game helped elevate the sport.

The Pelicans begin a three-game road trip tonight in Utah. New Orleans leads the Western Conference by a half a game over Memphis. Herb Jones who has been out with a left ankle sprain is listed as probable.

The 8-and-1 LSU Tigers host North Carolina Central tonight at 6 PM. K-J Williams has been named SEC Player of the Week after scoring a season-high 35 points and grabbling ten rebounds in the Tigers come from behind win over Wake Forest on Saturday.

LSU wide receiver Jaray Jenkins announces he’s entering the NFL draft and will not play in the Citrus Bowl. The Tigers opponent in the January second bowl game, Purdue, named Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters as its new head coach today. Boilermakers offensive coordinator Brian Brohm will serve as interim coach in the bowl game.

Saints Coach Dennis Allen says he’s sticking with Andy Dalton as his starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against Atlanta. The Falcons will start rookie Desmond Ridder at Q-B.