New LSU football coach Brian Kelly arrived in Baton Rouge yesterday and dozens of fans were there to welcome him to his new home. Kelly will speak publically for the first time since his hiring at LSU when he’s introduced as the Tigers’ new coach at noon.

There are some fans who are still shocked Kelly will lead the Fighting Tiger program…
cut 8 (11) “….I’m excited”
Details of Kelly’s 100-million dollar contract have been released. It contains six-figure bonuses for playing in bowl games and winning SEC and national championships. He also receives two courtesy vehicles, an interest-free loan of up to one-point-two million to buy a home, and 50 hours of travel on LSU’s private planes.

Kelly will also be introduced to Tiger fans during halftime of tonight’s men’s basketball game against Ohio.

Louisiana Tech will introduce its new head football coach today. It’s Sonny Cumbie who was an offensive coordinator at Texas Tech and T-C-U. He served as an interim coach for Texas Tech this season, leading the Red Raiders to a 1-and-3 record in their last four games. He also played quarterback at Texas Tech in the early 2000s.

Saints Coach Sean Payton has yet to name a starting quarterback for tomorrow night’s home game against Dallas. Taysom Hill is expected to start as he’s been taking the first-team reps at Q-B, but he’s also battling a foot injury. Payton says the injury is getting better….
Cut 16 (18) “…from there”
Saints running back Mark Ingram says he’s ready to play after missing the Thanksgiving loss to the Bills with an injured knee. Alvin Kamara has been limited at practice this week.

LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward keeps his reputation as an A-D who can hire big name coaches. Woodward was able to pull Brian Kelly away from Notre Dame after a successful 12-year-run and bring him to Baton Rouge. Kelly has agreed to a 10-year, 95-million dollar contract plus incentives. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says that’s the kind of money it took to get Kelly
cut 8 (08) “….getting a guy”
LSU will formally introduce Kelly tomorrow at noon.

La Tech is reportedly close to naming a new head fooball coach. The Bulldogs will reportedly hire Texas Tech offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie. He’s 40-years-old and served as the Red Raiders interim head coach for the final four games of the season and went one and three. He’s a former quarterback at Texas Tech and has been an offensive coordinator at Texas Tech and TCU.

Outgoing U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier will coach his final game in Cajun Field this Saturday when the Cajuns host Appalachian State in the Sun Belt Conference Championship game. Napier has been named the new head coach at Florida, but he has the utmost respect for the residents of Acadiana…
Cut 16 (19) “…thankful we are”

Rich Rodriguez spent just one year in Monroe as the offensive coordinator for the Warhawks. Rodriguez was introduced today as the new head coach of Jacksonville State, who is scheduled to join Conference USA in 2023.

Saints running backs Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram are back at practice this week and raising hope they will play on Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback Taysom Hill has a foot injury, but he’s expected to make his start at quarterback of the season against the Cowboys.

LSU has hired one of the winningest coaches in college football to lead the Tigers. Brian Kelly leaves South Bend, Indiana for Baton Rouge after a 113-40 record at Notre Dame. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says Kelly should succeed at LSU after guiding the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoffs in two of the last three years…
cut 6 (10) “…any better’
Kelly has agreed to a 10-year, 95-million dollar contract, plus incentives.

Billy Napier says he will coach the Cajuns this Saturday in the Sun Belt Championship game even though he’s accepted the head coaching job at Florida…
cut 17 (15) “…these things”
The Cajuns host Appalachian State in Saturday’s Sun Belt title game.

Louisiana Tech has reportedly hired Texas Tech offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie as the Bulldogs next head football coach. Cumbie was a record-setting walk-on quarterback at Texas Tech and previously also served as an offensive coordinator at TCU. He served as interim coach for the Red Raiders this season going one and three.

Prior to this news, Tech athletics director Eric Wood said he’s looking for someone that will care for their student-athletes and will work well with the Ruston community. He says the main qualification is a coach that will bring a winning football program to La Tech…
Cut 20 (18) “.of the program”

And ULM needs a new offensive coordinator as Rich Rodrigeuz has been hired as the head coach at Jacksonville State, which will join Conference USA in 2023.

LSU is expected to announce today that Brian Kelly is the new head football coach of the Fighting Tigers. Kelly is leaving Notre Dame as the school’s all-time winningest coach. In 12 seasons in South Bend, Kelly went 113-40 and led the Fighting Irish to the BCS National Championship game after the 2012 season and two appearances in the college football playoffs.

So will any current LSU assistant coaches stay? It’s been reported that cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator Corey Raymond and running backs coach Kevin Faulk will remain with the program.

ULM’s offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez is set to become the new head coach at Jacksonville State, which will soon join Conference USA.

Taysom Hill is reportedly getting snaps with the first-team offense as the Saints get ready for Thursday night’s match-up with Dallas. Cowboys Coach Mike McCarthy will not travel with the team after testing positive for COVID.

U-L Lafayette athletics director Bryan Maggard says they would like to have a new football coach in place by December 15th, which is the start of the early signing period…
cut 18 (22) “….student athletes”
Louisiana Tech athletics director Eric Wood is also looking for a new football coach after firing Skip Holtz. Wood says they would like to make a higher sooner than later…
Cut 19 (21) “..possible”

LSU may have missed out on Lincoln Riley, who has left Oklahoma for USC, but does Tigers athletic director Scott Woodward have a backup plan. The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman tweeted out earlier today asking out loud if LSU may try to hire Matt Rhule, the current NFL head coach at Carolina, who turned around football programs at Temple and Baylor.

Meanwhile, former LSU Coach Ed Orgeron is enjoying life on a Florida beach. It was announced on October 17th that Orgeron would not return in 2022 as LSU’s head coach. But the team kept battling despite more injuries and close losses to Alabama and Arkansas. LSU finished the regular season with wins over ULM and Texas A-and-M. Orgeron says the players were great during this period of transition…
Cut 18 (17) “..do that”
At six-and-six, LSU is eligible to play in a bowl game. The Birmingham Bowl is a possibility.

Dallas Cowboys Coach Mike McCarthy will not be in New Orleans on Thursday for the game against the Saints. McCarthy has tested positive for COVID as the Cowboys are dealing with a COVID outbreak among players and coaches.

The Saints are reportedly preparing to make a change at quarterback. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting Taysom Hill is taking first-team snaps at quarterback, and Trevor Siemian is running plays with the second team.

Ragin Cajuns athletic director Bryan Maggard says it’s bitter-sweet to see head football coach Billy Napier take the Florida job…
cut 15 (15) “…unprecedented”
Napier will coach the Cajuns this Saturday in the Sun Belt Championship game against Appalachian State in Lafayette at 2:30. The Mountaineers are a three-point favorite.

Ed Orgeron is in Destin, Florida as his run as the head coach of the LSU Tigers ended Saturday night with a thrilling 27-24 win over Texas A-and-M. Orgeron says offensive line coach Brad Davis will serve as the interim coach…
Cut 16 (21) “…great bowl”
It’s unknown who Tigers athletics director Scott Woodward will hire as Orgeron’s permanent replacement. A possible candidate, Lincoln Riley, left Oklahoma for USC. LSU was reportedly not interested in U-L Lafayette’s Billy Napier, but Florida was and the Gators have announced Napier as their new head coach. But Napier will coach the Cajuns in this Saturday’s Sun Belt Conference Championship game.

Skip Holtz’s nine-year run as the head coach of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs has come to an end. Holtz took the Bulldogs to seven straight bowl games, winning six straight. He believes he brought consistency to the program…
cut 20 (25) “…..great era”

In NFL news, Dallas Coach Mike McCarthy will not be in New Orleans for Thursday night’s game against the Saints. McCarthy is one of several coaches and players who have tested positive for COVID. After missing the last three games, Saints running back Alvin Kamara was seen by the media at practice yesterday.

Former LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman has signed a 110-million dollar contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.

It remains a big question mark on who will be LSU’s next head football coach. Florida and USC made their hires. Speculation on Saturday had Lincoln Riley leaving Oklahoma for LSU, instead, he shocked the college football world by taking the USC job. LSU reportedly didn’t show much interest in U-L Lafayette’s Billy Napier and the successful Cajuns coach is the new head coach at Florida.

Meanwhile, LSU’s old coach Ed Orgeron is enjoying life on a Florida beach. The Tigers sent him out on a winning note with a 27-24 win over Texas A-and-M. The offense finally came through in a close contest as Max Johnson hit Jarray Jenkins on a 28-yard touchdown pass with 20 seconds left. Orgeron is proud of the offense….
Cut 17 (25) “ for him”

Skip Holtz’s run as the head coach of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs ended on Saturday with a 35-31 loss to Rice. Holtz was the third-most winningest coach in program history with 64 victories in his nine seasons. The 57-year-old says he’s grateful for his time in Ruston but wishes it had not come to an end…
Cut 19 (20) “..my decision”
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reports former Louisiana Tech quarterback and current Oklahoma State quarterbacks coach Tim Rattay, La Tech offensive coordinator Joe Sloan and former Texas Tech coach Matt Wells are names up for consideration for the Tech job.

And on the recruiting front, Trevonte Citizen has de-committed from LSU. He’s a four-star running back from Lake Charles College Prep. The Tigers now have 13 players committed in the 2022 class.

LSU football closes out the regular season tonight by hosting Texas A-and-M. But it’s what the Tigers do after the game that’s the bigger story. Who will LSU athletics director Scott Woodward hire to be the next head coach? There’s buzz about Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley. ESPN college football writer Chris Low says Riley would be a big get for LSU…
cut 14 (11) “…highest levels”
Riley is 55-9 at Oklahoma and has led the Sooners to three college football playoff appearances.

Skip Holtz has a 64-49 record at Louisiana Tech, but today is his last day as Holtz will coach his final game on the Bulldogs sideline after nine seasons in Ruston. Holtz has led the program to two Conference USA championship game appearances and seven bowl games and six wins.

The 23rd ranked Ragin Cajuns host ULM today looking for an 11th straight win. But Billy Napier’s time as head coach at U-L Lafayette could be coming to an end. Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel reports that Napier is the favorite to land the Florida head coaching job.

The Bayou Classic between Southern and Grambling is at 4 PM today. Both teams have losing records. 17th ranked Southeastern Louisiana hosts 22nd ranked Florida A-and-M in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

There were some great high school football games last night. Ouachita Christian got past Calvary Baptist 40-37 to advance to the Division Four state championship game and the Eagles will face Southern Lab, who shutout St. Frederick 33-0.

West Monroe’s season ended last night with an overtime loss to Zachary in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A playoffs. Westgate will play top-seeded Karr in the semi-finals of the 4A playoffs as the Tigers topped Northwood-Shreveport 34-32. And Sterlington took down the defending champs in 3A by beating Madison Prep 40-34 in overtime.

We know that tomorrow is Ed Orgeron’s final game as head coach of LSU inside Tiger Stadium and today we’ve learned that Skip Holtz will coach his final game for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs tomorrow. Holtz has led the Bulldogs for the last nine seasons posting a 64-49 record. He led Tech to two Conference USA championship game appearances and seven straight bowl games. But the Bulldogs are 3-and-8 this year heading into tomorrow’s regular-season finale against Rice.

Ragin Cajun fans are concerned head football coach Billy Napier may leave for another job. Florida is reportedly very interested in Napier and his name has also been connected to the LSU opening. Napier says he has not made a decision on his future and the rumors of him leaving come with the territory of having a winning program…
cut 15 (12) “….tail off”
U-L Lafayette goes after its eleventh straight win tomorrow when they host ULM.

The Saints lost their fourth straight yesterday as they managed only 190 yards of offense in a 31-6 defeat to the Buffalo Bills. Coach Sean Payton says they have a lot of areas to address heading into their next match-up, another Thursday night home game against Dallas…
cut 16 (16) “…focus will be”
We’ll see if Payton makes a change at quarterback. Trevor Siemian was 17 of 29 for 163 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Siemian once again got most of his yards in the second half.

LSU men’s basketball takes its undefeated record to Niceville, Florida where they’ll play two games in the Emerald Coast Classic. The Tigers face 3-and-1 Penn State tonight at 6 PM and then either Wake Forest or Oregon State tomorrow.

The Pelicans are at the Utah Jazz tonight.

An awful performance by the Saints last night as the Black and Gold lost their fourth straight falling to the Buffalo Bills 31-6. Saints Coach Sean Payton..
cut 27 (07) “…television audience”
The Saints lone touchdown came in the fourth quarter when they were down 24-0. The offense, playing without running backs Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram and right tackle Ryan Ramcyzk only had 190 yards of offense, while Bills Quarterback Josh Allen threw four touchdown passes. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan…
cut 26 (13) “…this game”
The Saints next game will also be on Thursday night as New Orleans will host the Cowboys, who lost yesterday as well as the Raiders downed Dallas 36-33 in overtime.

Speculation is ramping up on who will be LSU’s next football coach with the college football regular season-ending tomorrow. ESPN college football senior writer Chris Low believes LSU athletic director Scott Woodward’s first choice is Texas A-and-M head coach Jimbo Fisher…
Cut 13 (11) “…who knows.”
It appears you can scratch Dave Aranda’s name off the list of possible candidates as the Tigers former defensive coordinator has reportedly committed to a new contract with Baylor.

Tomorrow, LSU will host Texas A-and-M as the Tigers will try to avoid their first losing season since 1999. U-L Lafayette looks for its eleventh straight win when they host ULM tomorrow afternoon. Grambling and Southern meet in the Bayou Classic in the Superdome on Saturday. Southern has won three straight in that rivalry series. And tomorrow night in Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana hosts Florida A-and-M in an FCS playoff game.