LSU has its new offensive coordinator. It’s Matt Canada, who has had success directing high-powered offenses at Pittsburgh, North Carolina State, Northern Illinois and Indiana. Canada also has a history coaching up quarterbacks. This past season, Pitt QB Nathan Peterman led the ACC in QB rating this year and had 26 touchdowns to six interceptions. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says this is good news on the recruiting front, as the Tigers are trying to get a four-start recruit from Mississippi to sign with LSU…
cut 10 (12) “…good fit”
Canada is 41-years-old and spent yesterday interviewing for the job.

UL Lafayette has lifted the interim tag from defensive coordinator Mike Lucas. Lucas was named interim defensive coordinator after the first game and the Cajuns finished the regular season 24th in rushing defense, 34th in third down conversion defense and 40th in total defense.

The LHSAA is considering playing the nine state football championships on the same weekend. Earlier this month, the select title games were held on one weekend and the non-select on the other. But that resulted in the Division One Championship kicking-off after 10 PM. The proposal is to play three games a day from December 7th to the 9th.

In college basketball last night…LSU trailed by seven points at halftime to North Carolina Central, but the Tigers played much better in the second half and won 70-66. Antonio Blakeney led the way with 27 points.

Also yesterday, Louisiana Tech topped Prairie View 65-52. Jacobi Boykins drained five three-pointers and finished with a game-high 19 points. The Bulldogs are now 6-4 on the year.

It’s being widely reported that LSU is close to a deal with Pittsburgh’s Matt Canada to be the team’s new offensive coordinator. FoxSports.com says LSU officials had a productive meeting with the 41-year-old Tuesday. The hire would put an end to the long search as LSU head coach Ed Orgeron waited on longtime friend Lane Kiffin — who decided to go be the head coach at Florida Atlantic.

UL-Lafayette head football coach Mark Hudspeth said Tuesday that the interim tag is removed from assistant coach Mike Lucas; who becomes the team’s official defensive coordinator. Lucas has held the post since Week 2 of the season and since then has yielded just 23 points per game.

The New Orleans Saints will be playing a game in London next season against the Dolphins on either September 24th or October 1st in Wembley Stadium. It’ll be a home game for Miami which works in New Orleans favor because it means they won’t have to give up a home game in the Dome. The Black and Gold are preparing to face the Cardinals this Sunday.

In college hoops, it was a close one for LSU last night as they rallied late to get by North Carolina Central 70-66 in the Tigers first game since November 29th. Guard Antonio Blakeney led all scorers with 27 points.

Louisiana Tech held off Prairie View A&M in a 65-62 victory last night in Ruston. The Bulldogs were able to close the game out with an 11-0 run to keep the Panthers at bay. Jacobi Boykins had a game high 19 points.

Tonight UL-Lafayette travels to Georgia, McNeese State is at SMU, and Nicholls State is at Texas Tech.

In the NBA, the luck for the Pelicans just seems to not be there this season. New Orleans almost got by Golden State last night at home, but ended up falling to the Warriors in a thriller, 113-109.

In prep football news, could yet another change be coming to the state championships? The High School Coaches Association and the LHSAA both said they plan to consolidate the select/non-select games to one three day weekend next fall.

Saints players seem to all agree that there are no winners in the case of their former teammate, Will Smith. Cardell Hayes was charged with manslaughter. New Orleans offensive tackle Zach Strief says it’s a tragedy for Smith’s wife Raquel, the family/friends and everyone involved…:
Cut 17 (13) “they realize that”
The Orleans Parish DA says he plans to seek the maximum 60 year sentence for Hayes.

The NFL Network announced today that the Saints will play the Dolphins in London next season. It’ll be either week 3 or week 4 and the exact date will be announced once the full regular season schedule is released.

Lane Kiffin being named Florida Atlantic head coach means Ed Orgeron and his LSU staff must move swiftly to their next top option for offensive coordinator. The Tigers are said to be talking with the Pittsburgh Panthers OC Matt Canada today. The 44 year old year old has been there one season and Pitt averaged 447.5 yards with 42.3 points per game.

The CBS Sports Classic is coming to New Orleans in December 2017. It’s a neutral site for NCAA basketball powers Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio State and UCLA. New Orleans will be hosting the NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2022.

For the second straight week Louisiana Tech’s Erik McCree was named as the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Men’s Basketball Player of the Week.

LSU senior center Ethan Pocic was named to his fourth All-America list, as this time he was placed on the Football Writers Association of America First Team the organization announced.

The Saints haven’t been able to put it together for the last couple of weeks, but there are still three weeks left starting with the contest against the Cardinals on the road this Sunday. New Orleans offensive tackle Zach Strief says they can’t focus on the past, but instead on winning the remaining games of the season…:
Cut 16 (14) “nobody is quitting”
Several current Saints players commented Monday on their thoughts about the high profile Will Smith trial after discovering the killer, Cardell Hayes, was convicted of manslaughter. Smith was a friend and former mentor of New Orleans defensive end Cam Jordan. In the locker room Monday, Jordan says the loss of Smith is a pain he can’t describe…:
Cut 18 (14) “you can’t make sense of”

LSU is shifting its focus to a new choice for offensive coordinator now that their top pick, Lane Kiffin, is the new coach at Florida Atlantic. The Tigers are now looking at Pittsburgh’s Matt Canada for the job. LSU officials are expected to meet with today and potentially make an offensive coordinator announcement soon.

The Tigers picked up a big recruit Monday at a badly needed position. Monty Rice, the 21st-ranked inside linebacker in the 2017 class, chose committed to LSU. Rice becomes the 18th verbal pledge in the class.

Catholic High football coach Dale Weiner has announced his retirement. The 64-year-old spent 30 years as head football coach at Catholic High and compiled a 298-89 record, and leaves the game with an overall career record of 317-110 in 36 years.

In college hoops, LSU gets back at it tonight after taking a break for finals and face North Carolina Central inside the PMAC at 8pm. Also tonight, Louisiana Tech hosts Prairie View.

Family and Friends and NFL teammates of Joe McKnight said their final goodbyes to the former John Curtis star Monday.

New Orleans didn’t score a touchdown for the second week in a row in the 16-11 loss to Tampa Bay. The Bucs picked off quarterback Drew Brees three times and New Orleans was only able to pick up 294 yards — the third lowest of the season. Brees says the overall production the team is capable of is just not there…:

Cut 18 (12) “that’s gonna be positive”

Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin has agreed to become Florida Atlantic’s coach. Kiffin was being pursued by LSU to be offensive coordinator under head coach Ed Oregeron. It’s now reported that LSU’s top choice for OC is Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Matt Canada.

LSU picked up a big recruit today. Monty Rice, the 21st-ranked inside linebacker in the 2017 class, chose the Tigers. Rice becomes the 18th verbal pledge in the class. Linebacker Dylan Moses reaffirms his commitment to Alabama after visiting LSU. St. James High quarterback Lowell Narcisse tweeted that he’s decommitted from the Tigers.

Catholic High football coach Dale Weiner has announced his retirement. The 64-year-old septn 30 years as head football coach at Catholic High and compiled a 298-89 record.

Cardell Hayes will likely serve at least 20 years in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter in the shooting death of former-Saints player Will Smith. Michelle Southern gets an analysis on the verdict.:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

According to ESPN, Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin has agreed to become Florida Atlantic’s coach. Kiffin was being pursued by LSU to be offensive coordinator under head coach Ed Oregeron. It’s now reported that LSU’s top choice for OC is Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Matt Canada.

St. James High quarterback Lowell Narcisse tweeted that he’s decommitted from the Tigers. The four star dual threat QB said he loves LSU, but thinks is best to move in another direction. Linebacker Dylan Moses reaffirms his commitment to Alabama after visiting LSU.

It was another tough loss for the Saints yesterday in Tampa, 16-11. At this point the Saints chances at making it into the post season are slim to none. Payton says yesterday’s game was disappointing…:
Cut 17 (12) “time and time again”

In prep news, Quarterback Keytaon Thompson of Landry-Walker High School has won the as its 2016-17 Gatorade Louisiana Football Player of the Year. He lead Landry-Walker to a 50-21 victor over West Monroe in the class 5A title game.

Cardell Hayes has been found guilty of manslaughter in the shooting death of former-Saints player Will Smith. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says it isn’t surprising the jury went for the manslaughter charge. He says the verdict is consistent with the evidence…:
Cut 9 (11) “the shooting”
Prosecutors are expected to hold a news conference on the verdict this afternoon at 1pm.

The funeral of former NFL player and John Curtis Star Joe McKnight is underway in New Orleans. McKnight was gunned down in Jefferson Parish in an apparent road rage incident. Ronald Gasser is facing manslaughter charges in the incident.

Who Dat fans are not happy once again as the Saints lose in an ugly fashion. New Orleans didn’t score a touchdown for the second week in a row in the 16-11 loss to Tampa Bay. Coach Sean Payton says the early penalties set the tone for this game…:
Cut 16 (15) “we’ve gotta be better”
The Bucs picked off quarterback Drew Brees three times and New Orleans was only able to pick up 294 yards. Some say this brutal loss no doubt puts Brees and Payton on the hot seat.

In the NBA, the Pelicans got a badly needed win — but it was a close one. New Orleans got by Phoenix 120-119 in overtime on the road. The Pels are now 8-17 on the year.

The man who fatally shot retired New Orleans Saints defensive leader Will Smith was convicted of manslaughter on Sunday. Cardell Hayes faces a possible sentence of up to 40 years in prison at his sentencing on February 17th. Former New Orleans star Deuce McAllister was there when the verdict was read and says this is an extremely painful time for Smith’s widow Raquel and the entire family …:
CUT 6 (12) “not there”
The verdict ends a week long trial in which Hayes insisted he only fired because Smith was drunk, violent and grabbed a gun following the April road rage incident.

Lamar Jackson is the first Louisville player to win the Heisman Trophy. The honor was handed out Saturday night in New York. Jackson and the Cardinals face the LSU Tigers on New Year’s eve day in the Citrus Bowl.

In college hoops Sunday, Nicholls State pounded Thomas 95-63. Northwestern State trounced UNO, 83-49.

There were two great state football championship games last night in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. In Class One-A, Logansport scored 28 points in the 4th quarter to beat Haynesville 34-28. Logansport was down 28-6 entering the final quarter. Tigers quarterback Dalton Shaw threw three touchdown passes inlcuding a 14-yard hook up with Joe Caraway with 24 seconds left.

In the Class Two-A title game, Sterlington won its first football title by shocking top-seeded and undefeated Madison Prep 28-27. Carson Clowers had three rushing touchdowns to win the game, the Chargers went for a two-point conversion with 44 seconds left and they were denied.

There are three more championship games today…the 4A title game is a rematch of last year’s championship game won by Neville. West Monroe and Landry-Walker meet for the 5A title.

Unless the Saints make the playoffs, safety Kenny Vaccaro has played his last down of the 2016 season. Vaccaro will begin serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy. Vaccaro was popped for taking Adderall. He had a chance to appeal, but decided not to. The 5-and-7 Saints are at Tampa Bay on Sunday. The Bucs have won four in a row.

Houston has named Baton Rouge native and former Catholic High star Major Applewhite as it’s new head football coach. Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin was also up for that job. So does that mean Kiffin will be LSU’s next offensive coordinator, which has been rumored? Well, apparently Florida Atlantic is interested in naming Kiffin its new head coach.

They hand out the Heisman Trophy today, It’s expected Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson will win the award. Jackson and the Cardinals face the LSU Tigers on New Year’s eve day in the Citrus Bowl.
And the struggling Pelicans are at Los Angeles tonight to face the Clippers.

It looks like Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro has played his final game of the season as he’s dropped his appeal and he’ll begin serving a four-game suspension for testing positive for a performance enhancing drug. That drug was Adderall. With four games left, New Orleans has a 5-7 record heading into Sunday’s game against the streaking Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have won four straight.

New Orleans has also placed tight end Josh Hill on injured reserve after breaking his right fibula. And there are eight Saints players listed as qustionable for Sunday’s game, including center Max Unger and linebacker Craig Robertson.

Baton Rouge native and former Catholic High quarterback Major Applewhite is the new head coach of the Houston Cougars. Applewhite was Houston’s offensive coordinator this past season and gets the job over Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. That means Kiffin is still available to become the next offensive coordinator at LSU.

The non-select football championships kick-off this afternoon in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Class One-A title game has Haynesville versus Logansport. Tonight’s it’s Sterlington versus Madison Prep. The 4th seeded Panthers are playing in their first title game since 2002.

Tomorrow there’s three more championship games, including the 5A title contest between West Monroe and Landry-Walker. Rebels Head Coach Jerry Arledge says they need to win the time of possession…
cut 20 (14) “…this year”
The Chargin Buccaneers are led by one of the top quarterbacks in the state in Keytaon Thompson.

The Pelicans have one of the best players in the NBA in Anthony Davis, but the Pels are now 7-16 after losing to the lowly Philadelphia 76ers 99-88 last night. A-D said after the game that this is the most frustrated he’s been since entering the NBA.

Major Applewhite and not Lane Kiffin is the new head coach of the Houston Cougars. There were reports yesterday that Kiffin would get the job, but that didn’t happen. Applewhite is a Baton Rouge native, who played at Catholic High and then was a star quarterback at Texas. It’s possible Kiffin could still get the head coaching job at South Florida.

Bad loss for the Pelicans last night as they fell to the 76ers 99-88. Philadelphia snapped a 23-game road losing streak with the defeat. New Orleans is now 7-16 on the season and Anthony Davis says this is the most frustrated he’s been at any point during his four-plus NBA career. He had 26 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

Today in the Mercedes Benz Superdome, it’s the Class One-A and Two-A state championship games. Haynesville faces Logansport in the Class One-A title and in the two-A championship game it’s undefeated Madison Prep versus Sterlington.

It’s the Saints and the Buccaneers this Sunday in Tampa Bay. The Bucs have won four in a row and they are tied for first place in the NFC South. But Tampa is only two and four this year at their home stadium and the Saints have won four in a row at Raymond James Stadium. Kick-off is at 3:25.

The Allstate Sugar Bowl Prep Classic concludes Saturday night with the Class 5A championship game as Landry-Walker faces West Monroe. Landry-Walker Head Coach Emmanuel Powell expects an intense game…
cut 19 (18) “…dangerous situations’
West Monroe is seeking it’s eighth state championship and first with Jerry Arledge as it’s head coach.

The other two games tomorrow, Lutcher and Amite in the 3A championship, Karr versus Lutcher in the 4A title.