The search for Sean Payton’s replacement has begun. ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports the Saints have reached out to Tampa Bay with a request to interview offensive coordinator Bryron Leftwich and to the Detroit Lions to meet with defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Owner Gayle Benson promised the team would look at both in-house and external candidates. Rod Walker, who covers the Saints for NOLA.com, says New Orleans is the type of landing spot that any coach would be drawn to.

Cut 18 (6) “…good situation.”

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With mobile sports betting set to kick off on Friday morning, individual platforms have begun to announce who will be online for bettors. Companies include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesar’s.

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The Tulane Green Wave set a school record for margin of victory in any conference game with a 97-63 destruction of Tulsa in New Orleans Wednesday night. Tulane’s previous largest victory in the AAC had been 23 points against South Florida in 2017, and the overall record came in a 33-point win against Virginia Tech in 1991.

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12^th-ranked LSU takes on Arkansas tonight, looking to rebound after their one-point loss at Florida. The Razorbacks come in hot, having won three of four including back-to-back routs of Alabama and Mississippi State. Arkansas plays small and shoots a lot of threes, having made an SEC-high 177 this year. Tigers coach Kim Mulkey understands the challenge for her big frontcourt..

Cut 22 (18) “…all over the floor.”

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The LSU athletic department lost money during the 2021 fiscal year. While revenues were down nearly $39 million, Tiger Rag-dot-com editor Adam Hunsucker says it could have been worse…

Cut 9 (11) “…9.6 million.”

Two days into the search for Sean Payton’s replacement as head coach of the New Orleans Saints, several names are beginning to emerge. Dennis Allen, the team’s defensive coordinator, is the current favorite, but Gayle Benson has promised a thorough search. NOLA.com Saints reporter Rod Walker says that even though there is plenty of familiarity with Allen, the Saints should cast their net wide as they fill one of the most attractive job openings in the NFL.

Cut 17 (15) “…whoever you want.”

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LSU men’s basketball ended its three-game losing streak and moved back to .500 in SEC play with a 70-64 win over Texas A&M, Wednesday night. Sophomore guard Brandon Murray led the Tigers with a game-high 21 points, and Eric Gaines added 16 points and six assists. LSU is back on the court Saturday when they host TCU at 11:00 a.m.

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After suffering its first conference loss of the season, Louisiana Tech will look to get back on track as the host Rice Thursday night at the Thomas Assembly Center. The Owls, who lead the conference in three-point shooting, present a major challenge. Tech coach Eric Konkol says for Tech to collect the victory, his team is going to have to play disciplined and together on the defensive end.

Cut 20 (21) “…want to do well.”

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There’s also a big in-state rival game tonight as Nicholls travels to face McNeese in Lake Charles. ULM is hosting Georgia Southern today, UL-Lafayette is hosting Georgia State, and Northwestern State hosts Incarnate Word.

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With mobile sports betting set to kick off on Friday morning, individual platforms have begun to announce who will be online for bettors. Companies include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesar’s.

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The search is now on for the next head coach of the New Orleans Saints. So far, current defensive coordinator Dennis Allen seems to be the early favorite to succeed Sean Payton. Allen has been with the Saints for the past five seasons and spent two seasons as head coach of the Oakland Raiders. NOLA.com Saints reporter Rod Walker says Allen has the credentials…:
Cut 16 (11) “the Buccaneers out”
Saints owner Gayle Benson said the search will include candidates from both inside and outside the organization.

The LSU men’s basketball team snapped their three-game losing streak with a 70-64 victory over Texas A&M inside the PMAC on Wednesday. That win was without 3 of their best offensive players as Xavier Pinson and Darius Days missed the game and Tari Eason left with an injury with about 6 minutes to go. LSU will next face TCU Saturday on the road.

After suffering its first conference loss of the season, Louisiana Tech will look to get back on track as the host Rice tonight at the Thomas Assembly Center. Outside shooting hampered the Bulldogs in their loss to UAB, as the Blazers made 12 three-pointers. Coach Eric Konkol says the Owls, who lead the conference in three-point shooting, present a major challenge…:
Cut 19 (18) “throughout the night”
The game tips off at 6:30.

There’s also a big in-state rival game tonight as Nicholls travels to face McNeese in Lake Charles. ULM is hosting Georgia Southern today, UL-Lafayette is hosting Georgia State, Northwestern State hosts ICU.

Individual mobile sports betting platforms have begun announcing they will be a part of Louisiana’s launch of online wagering Friday. They include DraftKings, Fan Duel, BetMGM and Caesars.

The LSU men’s basketball team looks to snap a three-game losing streak tonight when the Tigers host Texas A-and-M at 8 PM in the P-MAC.

LSU’s offense has been struggling as of late and the Tigers rank last in the SEC in assist-versus turnover ratio; averaging 15 turnovers a game. Head coach Will Wade says the Tigers can’t afford to waste possessions…

Cut 17 (22) “…ball back.”

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Mobile sports wagering comes to Louisiana, outside of the nine parishes that voted it down, beginning this Friday, January 28.

Ronnie Johns, Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, said it took a team effort to get this off the ground.

Cut 6 (13) “…ready to go.”

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With Sean Payton no longer at the helm, the Saints now begin the search for the 14^th coach in the franchise’s history.

NOLA.com Saints reporter Rod Walker says that even with in-house candidates like current defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, he expects the Saints to conduct a broad search for one of the most attractive jobs in the NFL.

Cut 21 (15) “…whoever you want.”

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With national signing day now just a week away, programs around Louisiana continue to add talent through the NCAA’s transfer portal.

LSU received a commitment from former Oklahoma State cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse. Converse, who started 46 games for the Cowboys, is the fourth defensive back to join the Tigers via the portal.

And former Michigan State offensive lineman James Ohonba is headed to Lafayette to join the Ragin Cajuns.

It’s the day after, and it still doesn’t feel real. After 16 years, Sean Payton made his emotional exit from the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, in a press conference where he reflected on his remarkable tenure with the franchise.

Payton brought an unprecedented era of winning to the Saints, collecting seven division championships, nine playoff appearances and the Super Bowl 44 trophy. But Payton’s very first team in New Orleans remains special to him.

Cut 11 (12) “…that ’06 team.”

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Mobile sports wagering is set to go live in Louisiana, outside of the nine parishes that voted it down, beginning this Friday, January 28. Gaming Control Board Chairman, Ronnie Johns, says all systems are go for the first bets to be placed ahead of one of the busiest sports betting weekends of the year.

Cut 7 (10) “…gonna go live.”

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The 19^th-ranked LSU men’s basketball team looks to snap a three-game losing streak tonight when the Tigers host Texas A-and-M at 8 PM. LSU coach Will Wade says it’s 50-50 whether Darius Days will play with a sore ankle and if Xavier Pinson plays, he’ll be limited with a knee injury. The Tigers are mired in their first three-game losing streak in 2018, but Wade believes they’ll come out of it soon…

Cut 18 (22) “…the end.”

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The New Orleans Pelicans were tough, but came up short in a 117-107 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. Playing without four starters, the Pels were led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker with 31 points, and Billy Hernangomez added 29 points and 10 rebounds.

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Sean Payton is no longer the head coach of the Saints. It’s hard to hear that after 15 seasons that saw the Black and Gold become a consistent winner in the NFL under Payton, who arrived in New Orleans a few months after Hurricane Katrina. Payton led the Saints to their only Super Bowl championship in the 2009 season, but he’ll never forget that 2006 team that came out of nowhere and went to the NFC Championship game…
cut 11 (12) “….that 06 team” (2x)
It’s unknown what the 58-year-old Payton will do next. Payton says he would like to return to coaching one day, but getting a job as an analyst with a major TV network is a possibility.

So the search begins for a new head coach…NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will get a long look. He’s been Payton’s D-C since 2015 after three unsuccessful seasons as head coach of the Raiders.

The LSU men’s basketball team looks to snap a three-game losing streak tonight when the Tigers host Texas A-and-M at 8 PM. LSU Coach Will Wade the Aggies present another difficult challenge for his team…
cut 16 (20) “….turnovers under control”
Wade says injured starters Xavier Pinson and Darius Days will be game-time decisions.

The Pelicans were short-handed last night and lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 117 to 107 at the Wells Fargo Center.

Tiger Rag Magazine reports Sharon Lewis, a central figure in LSU’s Title Nine scandal, is no longer employed by LSU. Lewis sued the university in April for 50 million dollars claiming the school retaliated against her and created a hostile work environment after reporting sexual misconduct cases. LSU is not commenting, but Lewis’ attorneys call her firing a wrongful termination.

Sean Payton officially stepped down as head coach of the New Orleans Saints Tuesday afternoon. The franchise’s all-time winningest coach, helped take the Saints from the despair of the post-Katrina rebuild to the glory of a Super Bowl title. After 16 years with the organization, Payton simply said it’s time…

Cut 10 (20) “…time was right.”

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Payton’s departure means there are now nine head coaching vacancies in the NFL and the Saints are getting a relatively late start, but Canal Street Chronicles Editor in Chief Ross Jackson says New Orleans is an attractive job opening…

Cut 14 (10) “…on the other side.”

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The LSU men’s basketball team looks to snap a three-game losing streak Wednesday when the Tigers host Texas A-and-M at 8 PM. LSU Coach Will Wade the Aggies present another difficult challenge for his team…

Cut 16 (20) “…under control.”

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Tiger Rag Magazine reports that Sharon Lewis, who filed a $50 million Title IX lawsuit against LSU in April of 2021 is no longer with the University. Lewis’ attorneys released a statement to Tiger Rag through Delta Media confirming that she had been fired as the school’s associate athletic director of football recruiting and alumni relations by AD Scott Woodward. Lewis’ legal team said in the statement that they believe the termination to be an act of retaliation for the reporting of violations within the athletic department.

Who Dat Nation continues to wait for news on the future of Coach Sean Payton. Fox Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer reported Monday that Payton’s choice is between retirement and the Saints, and that the coach has no interest in leaving New Orleans for another team. NOLA.com Saints reporter Rod Walker says that it’s clear that even with the success that Payton has enjoyed on the field, his decision whether or not to stay is bigger than just Xs and Os.

Cut 18 (17) “…a lot of times.”

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Meanwhile, Saints owner Gayle Benson has partnered with the Crescent City Classic road race, along with Caesars Entertainment, Inc., to keep the race going for the 44^th straight year. Benson believes that with the support of the Saints, the Crescent City Classic can become one of the nation’s premier road races.

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The Pelicans have won two in a row after beating the Pacers, 117-113 last night at the Smoothie King Center. Devonte Graham led the Pels with 23 points. After a rough start, the Pels are 15-12 in their last 27 games, and Coach Willie Green believes that things are finally starting to come together.

Cut 28 (11) “…slowly but surely.”

New Orleans is back in action again tonight on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is in Chicago today, interviewing for the Bears’ vacant coaching position.  Allen has been with the Saints since 2015 and is seen as a major reason that New Orleans has transformed from one of the worst defenses in the NFL to one of its stingiest over the past three seasons. He would also be a leading candidate to replace Sean Payton if Payton does decide to step down as coach of the Saints. Allen was 8-28 as coach of the then Oakland Raiders from 2012 to 2014.

Though Sean Payton is back from his vacation, there is still no word on his coaching future. Questions about Payton’s status as the coach of the Saints found their way to owner Gayle Benson on Monday, who didn’t have any updates. Rod Walker, who covers the Saints for NOLA.com, thinks Mrs. Benson is much like the rest of Who Dat Nation; awaiting word from the man himself as he processes one of the most exhausting seasons of his career.
Cut 17 (16) “ …looking really good.”
The 58-year-old Payton is under contract with the Saints through the 2024 season.

Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen interviews with Chicago as the Bears continue to search for a new head coach.

LSU is ranked 10th by Baseball America in its preseason poll.

Five-star linebacker Harold Perkins has de-committed from Texas A-and-M. His uncle has told the media that Perkins will visit LSU this weekend. Perkins is six-foot-three, 210 pounds from Cypress Park High School in Cypress Texas. He committed to the Aggies earlier this month.

The Pelicans kicked off a busy stretch of games by beating Indiana 117 to 113 last night. Devonte Graham, who was listed as questionable with ankle soreness, drilled five three-pointers and finished with 25 points. Josh Hart added 22 points. New Orleans is on the road tonight to visit the 76ers.

The LSU men’s basketball team is down six spots in the latest A-P Top 25 poll to number 19. The Tigers host Texas A-and-M on Wednesday and Coach Will Wade says it’s possible the Tigers could be without Xavier Pinson and Darius Days. LSU has lost three in a row.

After losing on the road to Florida on Sunday, the LSU women’s basketball team is down to number 12 in the AP poll.

Saints coach Sean Payton has been silent about his plans for next season thus far, but speculation continues. The NFL Network reported that Payton has remained uncommitted regarding his status, but Saints insider Mike Detillier says even if Coach Payton flirts with some other opportunities, including in the broadcast booth, he expects to see him back on the sidelines in 2022.

Cut 8 (10) “…he returns.”

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Joe Burrow led Cincinnati past the top seeded Tennessee Titans to put the Bengals into the AFC Championship game this weekend. The Bengals start the week as seven-point underdogs to the Kansas City Chiefs, but Burrow says his team isn’t paying attention to the odds or the narratives…

Cut 20 (12) “…for it all.”

The 49ers and Rams will play to see who represents the NFC in Super Bowl 56.

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The Pelicans are back on the court at home tonight, as they host the Indiana Pacers at the Smoothie King Center.

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After its third consecutive conference loss, LSU has fallen to 19^th in the latest AP men’s college basketball top 25. The Tigers have struggled to score since starting SEC play, averaging just over 62 points per game. Guard Brandon Murray says the team’s problems are the result of poor discipline and execution.

Cut 17 (16) “…offense right.”

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The 11^th-ranked LSU women’s hoops squad suffered its first SEC road loss on Saturday at Florida, falling to the Gators, 72-73. Khayla Pointer scored a career-high 35 points in the losing effort for the Tigers.

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The Ragin’ Cajuns snapped their three-game losing streak with a 69-59 win over first-place Troy in Sun Belt action Saturday.

And Louisiana teams are well-represented at the top of the Southland Conference after this past weekend. UNO has won six in a row to claim the top spot with Southeastern and McNeese both tied for second.