LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network, Glen Guilbeau, says the search for a new baseball coach for the Tigers is down to three finalists. Arizona coach Jay Johnson, East Carolina coach Cliff Godwin and Notre Dame coach Link Jarrett. Guilbeau reports all three have been interviewed, but it’s unclear when Athletic Director Scott Woodward will announce a decision…
cut 11 (09) “…he wants to”
If Woodward wants to talk with Vanderbilt’s Tim Corbin, he’ll have to wait a couple more days. The Commodores avoided elimination with a six to five win over Stanford last night. Vandy scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth and the winning run scored on a wild pitch.

Tonight’s game is Texas versus Virginia, the winner gets Mississippi State tomorrow night. Vandy will face North Carolina State tomorrow afternoon.

The NFL combine has been held in Indianapolis since 1987, but next year might be the last year the combine is held in the Hoosier State. The NFL has reportedly informed teams they will accept bids from cities other than Indianapolis to host the annual scouting combine in 2023.

The NFL also announced it will allow teams to wear throwback-color helmets starting next year. In a memo, teams can pair the second helmet with alternate, throwback, or color rush uniforms.

In the NBA, tonight is Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. The Suns lead the best of seven series over the Clippers two games to none and Chris Paul will reportedly return to the floor tonight for Phoenix. The All-Star point guard missed the first two games of the series after testing positive for COVID.

Leon Thomas the Third, the Voice of the World Famed Tiger Marching Band has died from colon cancer at the age of 51. Thomas also served as the sideline reporter for the Grambling State Sports Radio Network.

Glen Guilbeau of the USA Today Network reports the finalists for the LSU baseball coaching job are Arizona’s Jay Johnson, East Carolina’s Cliff Godwin, and Notre Dame’s Link Jarrett. Johnson has led Arizona to the College World Series twice in six seasons, Godwin has won 258 games in seven seasons at East Carolina and Jarrett just led Notre Dame to its first super regional series appearance since 2002.

At the College World Series last night, Stanford was one out away from eliminating Vanderbilt, but the Commodores scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth. The rally started with two outs and nobody on and ended when Cardinal pitcher Brendan Beck threw a wild pitch, scoring Spencer Jones from third.

Mike Hoss is the new Voice of the Saints. Hoss is a veteran New Orleans sports journalist who will take over Zach Streif, who is now on the Saints coaching staff.

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors will vote on a new contract for Ragin Cajuns head football coach Billy Napier that will pay him two million dollars, nearly double what he made last year. The 41-year-old has been considered for coaching jobs in the SEC, but the Voice of the Cajuns Jay Walker says Napier is happy in Lafayette and the Cajuns are in store for another great season…
Cut 14 (12) “…this year ”
In three seasons, Napier has a 28-11 record.

The man known as the voice of Grambling athletics has passed away. Leon Thomas the Third was the football sideline reporter for the Grambling State Sports Radio Network and public address announcer. Thomas died yesterday morning following a battle with colon cancer. He was 51.

Ragin Cajuns football coach Billy Napier is set to make two million dollars next season, nearly doubling what he made for the 2020 season. This new deal for the 41-year-old coach comes on the heels of a 10-1 record in 2020 and the Cajuns were ranked 15th in the final AP poll. The Voice of the Cajuns Jay Walker.
Cut 12 (12) “…this past year”
One-point-six million dollars of that salary will come from the Ragin Cajun Athletic Foundation. .

Domestic violence charges against former LSU running back Derrius Guice have been dropped after he reportedly reached a settlement with his accuser. That’s according to the Washington Post who reports Guice will not have to face a trial and the incident that led to his arrest in Virginia last August will not appear on his record.

Governor Edwards has vetoed the legislation that would have prohibited transgender athletes from competing on girls sports teams. Edwards says the bill was a solution in search of a problem as this is not an issue in Louisiana. But the author of the measure, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell, says the Legislature is often proactive in responding to situations before they occur…
cut 16 (12) “….protected”
Lawmakers could vote to override the veto.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries wants outdoorsmen to know the lifetime hunting and fishing license is not going away. Currently, you can get a lifetime hunting or fishing license for 300-dollars, but starting in June of 2022, the state will only offer a combined lifetime fishing and hunting license and it will cost 500-dollars. LDWF’s Bryan McClinton touts the benefits of a combo lifetime fish and hunting license…
cut 7 (12) “…can hunt”

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed a bill that would have prevented transgender girls and women from participating on women’s sports teams in Louisiana. Edwards calls the legislation discriminatory and in search of a problem that does not exist.
cut 15 (10) “…in sports”
The governor says this type of proposed law also puts Louisiana at risk of losing major sporting events like next year’s NCAA Men’s Final Four.

At the College World Series, Mississippi State rallied to beat Virginia six to five in a winner’s bracket game, while Texas eliminated Tennessee as the Longhorns doubled up the Volunteers eight to four. After the game, Tennessee Coach Tony Vitello said he has not been contacted by LSU about their head coaching vacancy.

The Pelicans will pick 10th in the NBA draft when it takes place on July 29th. They had a 20-percent chance of moving into the top four, but the draft lottery last night did not go their way. The Detroit Pistons won the top pick.

LSU basketball player Josh Leblanc is looking to go to another school. The forward from Baton Rouge has entered the transfer portal after averaging three points and four rebounds a game last season. Tigers guard Seneca Knight is also entering the transfer portal, after arriving on LSU’s campus in January from San Jose State.

Ragin Cajuns football coach Billy Napier, baseball coach Matt Deggs and athletics director Bryan Maggard are all getting pay raises. Napier’s new deal nearly doubles the salary he received last season when he made just over one million dollars. In 2021, Napier is set to make two million dollars, one-point-six million dollars of that is coming from the Ragin Cajun Athletic Foundation.

The NBA draft lottery is tonight at 7:30. The Pelicans have a 4.5 percent chance of landing the number one pick. A 20-percent chance of receiving a top-four selection. But the most likely scenario is that the Pels end up with the 10th pick. There’s a 60-percent chance that will happen.

The Pelicans have reportedly received permission to speak with Brooklyn Nets assistant Jacque Vaughn and Milwaukee Bucks assistant Charles Lee. Vaughn previously was the head coach at Orlando and finished with a record of 58 and 158 after two-plus losing seasons.

LSU basketball’s Adam Miller and Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Lofton are among 17 finalists for the 2021 USA Basketball Mens’ Under-19 World Cup team.

On three-sports is reporting that LSU’s basketball player Josh Leblanc is entering the transfer portal after appearing in 25 games last season for the Tigers and averaged three points a contest. The Baton Rouge product transferred in from Georgetown.

The Catholic High of Baton Rouge football team made four straight trips to the state championship game from 2017 to 2020. But the titles they won in 2017 and 2020 have been wiped off the record books as the school acknowledges they violated LHSAA rules, which has led to the school forfeiting its two state football championships and two runner-up trophies.

Gabe Fertitta was the head coach during this time and he resigned in February and joined the University of Louisville coaching staff. WBRZ sports reporter Matt Trent says Fertitta told him he had no idea about these allegations…
cut 5 (09) “…..otherwise”
The LHSAA or Catholic High has not provided details on the violations that occurred, but Trent has learned the school committed multiple recruiting violations.

Monroe police have made an arrest in the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Sherman, the former Richwood High quarterback who was fatally shot on Friday night. 21-year old Malech Rucks has been charged with one count of second-degree murder.

Glen Guilbeau of the USA Today Network reports LSU’s next baseball coach could be one of three coaches who took their team to the College World Series this season…
cut 17 (16) “…keep Vitello”
If LSU athletic director Scott Woodward wanted to speak with Arizona Coach Jay Johnson he could do so. Johnson and the Wildcats were eliminated from the College World Series yesterday with a 14-to-5 loss to Stanford.

The Pelicans have reportedly received permission to speak with Nets assistant coach Jacque Vaugn and Bucks assistant Charles Lee.

Tonight is the NBA draft lottery. The Pelicans have a 4.5 percent chance of landing the number one pick, a 20-percent chance at a top-four selection. If they don’t win the lottery, they’ll pick tenth in the draft.

Catholic High School in Baton Rouge has vacated its 2017 and 2020 state football championships after the LHSAA determined they violated rules as a result of an investigation that began in March. WBRZ-TV sports reporter Matt Trent says the violations stem from inappropriate contact with athletes in the Baton Rouge area.
Cut 3 (14) “…open house.”
The LHSAA or Catholic High has not provided details on the violations that occurred.

The father of LSU senior pitcher Ma’Khail Hilliard, Keith Hillard, died in a tubing accident on the Amite River. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard…
cut 15 (03) “…weekend”
Ard believes the death will be ruled an accidental drowning after Keith Hilliard went under the water and never came up.

At the College World Series, North Carolina State just keeps on winning. The Wolfpack won the Ruston Regional, knocked off top-seeded Arkansas in the super regionals, and then last night defeated the defending national champs. Terrell Tatum’s fifth-inning home run was the only run as the Wolfpack defeated Jack Leiter and the Vanderbilt Commodores one to nothing

Vandy is one loss away from elimination. Commodores coach Tim Corbin is a rumored candidate to be the next head coach at LSU. But LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network, Glen Guilbeau, says it will be difficult to get Corbin out of Nashville…
CUT 18 (16) “…situation there”
If Woodward wants to speak with Arizona Coach Jay Johnson, he’s available. Stanford eliminated the Wildcats yesterday with a 14-to-5 victory.

Catholic High in Baton Rouge is forfeiting the football titles the Bears won in 2017 and 2020 and the runner-up trophies they received in 2018 and 2019 as a result of an LHSAA investigation. The school says the alleged violations occurred in 2017 and WAFB-TV reports the LHSAA investigation focused on alleged improper recruiting of players by the school.

The LSU baseball program is mourning the death of Keith Hilliard. He’s the dad of senior LSU pitcher Ma’Khail Hilliard. The 53-year-old Keith Hilliard died in a tubing accident on the Amite River. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard..
cut 14 (07) “….unforgiving river”
Ard extended his thoughts and prayers to the Hillard family.

Former LSU women’s basketball star Sylvia Fowles will go after her fourth Olympic Gold Medal this summer. She’s one of 12 women named to the U-S Women’s Basketball Team. Fowles is 35-years-old, but the team also features 40-year-old Sue Bird.

The search for LSU’s next head baseball coach continues as Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco has removed his name as a possible candidate and signed a four-year extension with Ole Miss. LSU beat reporter with the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau says Bianco interviewed for the LSU job last week, but could not wait around for an offer.
Cut 16 (11) “…Ole Miss.”
All three of them are busy coaching their teams in Omaha. Former LSU Coach Paul Mainieri told a radio show in Virginia that he talked to Virginia Coach Brian O’ Connor about the LSU job, but O’ Connor does not want it.

And the LSU baseball program is mourning the death of Keith Hilliard. He’s the dad of senior LSU pitcher Ma’Khail Hilliard. The 53-year-old Keith Hilliard died in a tubing accident on the Amite River in Livingston Parish over the Father’s Day weekend.

Monroe Police continue to investigate Friday night’s fatal shooting of former Richwood High starting quarterback Michael Sherman. After learning of Sherman’s death Football Coach Marcus Yanez held a team meeting, with players, coaches, students, and the community. But he says less than an hour after that meeting two more of his former players were shot in a drive-by shooting…
Cut 10 (10) “…doing ok”
Sherman had just graduated last month. Police say he was involved in a argument with two women when was fatally shot.

Catholic High in Baton Rouge confirms they are forfeiting the football titles the Bears won in 2017 and 2020 and the runner-up trophies they received in 2018 and 2019 as a result of an LHSAA investigation. The school says the alleged violations occurred in 2017 and WAFB-TV reports the LHSAA investigation focused on alleged improper recruiting of players by the school.

You can scratch Ole Miss Coach Mike Bianco’s name off for consideration as the LSU Tigers next baseball coach. Bianco released a statement last night saying Ole Miss is home for him and his family. The 54-year-old has been the Rebels head coach for the last 21 years and reportedly interviewed for the LSU job last week. But Bianco has received a four-year contract extension with the Rebels.

Glen Guilbeau of the USA Today Network reports LSU athletic director Scott Woodward is interested in talking with three coaches who have teams at the College World Series, Tennessee’s Tony Vitello, Arizona’s Jay Johnson, and Vanderbilt’s Tim Corbin.

At the College World Series last night, Mississippi State pitcher Will Bednar struck out a career-high 15 as the Bulldogs beat Texas two to one. Virginia blanked Tennessee six to nothing. Today, Stanford will face Arizona in an elimination game and North Carolina State takes on Vanderbilt in a winner’s bracket contest.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been appointed as NASCAR’s first Growth and Engagement Advisor. That means he’ll advise NASCAR on how they can grow their fan base. Kamara became a fan of the sport last year after NASCAR banned Confederate flags from its racetracks.

Former Memphis Grizzlies executive John Hollinger and now a columnist for The Athletic writes that the New Orleans Pelicans are a candidate to relocate in the next decade. The Pelicans lease with the Smoothie King Center expires in 2024, raising questions about the franchise’s long-term future in the Big Easy.

In the NBA playoffs…the upstart Atlanta Hawks eliminated the 76ers last night beating Philadelphia 103 to 96 in Game Seven of their Eastern Conference semi-final series. Former LSU Tiger Ben Simmons had just five points. The Suns won game one of the Western Conference finals 120 to 114, even though Chris Paul did not play for Phoenix after testing positive for COVID.

Saints Coach Sean Payton got married last night to Skylene Montgomery in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico after a 20-month engagement. The two met at a Saints-Panthers game when Montgomery was working as a nurse in Charlotte, North Carolina. She’s a former pageant queen. The two got engaged in November of 2019.

The conference commissioners wrapped up a two-day meeting in Chicago where they discussed a proposal to expand the college football playoff from four teams to 12. The Pac-12 would like to see Power Five conference champions receive an automatic bid. Discussions on ironing out a format will continue next week in Dallas.

The Los Angeles Clippers are heading to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. The Clippers rallied back from a 25-point deficit to beat the Utah Jazz to 131 to 119 to win the series four games to two. The 76ers-Hawks series is heading to a Game seven after Philadelphia won last night 104-99.

LSU baseball recruiting coordinator Nolan Cain is taking on a similar position at Texas A-and-M. Cain is a former Tiger pitcher who also coached third base and provided instruction for the team’s catchers and outfielders. Cain has been the Tigers recruiting coordinator since 2016 and three of the last four recruiting classes have been ranked in the top five.

The College World Series in Omaha gets underway today. At 1 PM, North Carolina State takes on Stanford and at 6 PM tonight, Vanderbilt will face Arizona. Vandy goes in as the betting favorite as they are the defending champs, having won the last national championship in college baseball.

LSU swimmer Brooks Curry has become the first American swimmer in program history to qualify for the U-S Olympic team after he placed fourth in the 100-meter free final at the Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha. Curry is a native of Atlanta and currently holds the school record in the 100-meter free.