Louisiana Tech has lost its defensive coordinator. Manny Diaz has been hired by Mississippi State to be the Bulldogs new defensive coordinator. Diaz helped Tech win the Conference USA western division title and his defense was ranked 22nd in the nation in points allowed and 17th in rush defense. Jonathan Ford, publisher of Bleed Tech Blue, says Diaz gave the Bulldogs’ defense an identity…

cut 16 (13) “find another one”

While Tech loses a defensive coordinator, they do add a quarterback. Jeff Driskel, who threw for 34-hundred yards at Florida, is transferring to Tech for his final year of college eligibility.

In other college football news…Nola.com reports that Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson has reached out to LSU about possibly transferring to Baton Rouge after he graduates in May. Since Golson would be a graduate transfer, he could be eligible to play for the Tigers in 2015.

Eric Gordon returned to the Pelicans lineup last night, but it wasn’t enough as the Washington Wizards defeated New Orleans 92-85. Gordon scored 6 points in 33 minutes in his return from a shoulder injury. Anthony Davis and Tyreke Evans lead all scorers with 21 apiece as the Pels fall to 17-17. The Pelicans hit the road to take on the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday night.

A full slate of college hoops action last night:

In the Sun Belt – UL-Lafayette improves to 3-0 in conference play after knocking off Appalachian State, 80-64. And ULM defeated Arkansas State 70-61.

In the Southland Conference – UNO opened their conference season with a 72-67 win over Lamar. Sam Houston stuffed the visiting Demons from Northwestern State, 75-64. McNeese falls to Houston Baptist, 68-56. And Stephen F. Austin remains undefeated in conference play after downing Southeastern Louisiana, 81-66.

And in the SWAC – Texas Southern squeezed by Southern, 59-58 and Grambling loses to Alabama A&M, 67-46.