The Saints have reportedly added Dennis Allen back to their coaching staff. Allen was an assistant under coach Sean Payton from 2006 to 2010. He left to become the defensive coordinator of the Broncos and he later served as head coach of the Raiders. It’s been reported that Allen will work with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

The Saints have also reportedly hired former Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland to do college scouting. And one other Black and Gold note, running back Mark Ingram is heading to the Pro Bowl. He replaces Seawhawks running back Marshawn Lynch, who is getting ready to play in the Super Bowl.

In the NBA…the New York Knicks ended their 16-game losing streak by beating the Pelicans 99-92 last night. Baton Rouge native Langston Galloway had 21 points for the Knicks, while the Pels, who were without the injured Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday, were led by Tyreke Evans’ 23 points.

Big win for ULM in Lafayette last night as the Warhawks defeated the Ragin Cajuns 57-55 for their sixth consecutive win. Tylor Ongwae led the way with 13 points. U-L-M is now six-and-one in the Sun Belt, while the Cajuns fall to four and three. Shawn Long had 19 points in a losing effort.

The LSU men’s basketball team is in action tonight as they visit Florida. The Tigers are trying to bounce back from a tough loss to Texas A-and-M on Saturday. In that game, LSU led the Aggies by 13 points in the second half, but still ended up losing. Florida is 3-and-1 in league play.

The LHSAA begins holding a series of meetings today in advance of their annual convention which takes place at the end of the month. Up for discussion is the future of high school football. There’s several proposals on changing the format of the playoffs, including a suggestion to have public and private schools compete with each other again. But there’s also a proposal to split the playoffs in basketball, baseball and softball as well.