Ten years ago today, the Saints officially named Sean Payton as their new head coach. Payton would lead New Orleans to the NFC Championship game that year and a Super Bowl title in 2009. NFL analyst Mike Detillier recalls the uncertainity that surrounded the Saints franchise when Payton was hired…
cut 7 (10) “….high moments”
Detillier says Payton will have to fix the Saints defense if he wants to remain the coach in New Orleans.

In recruiting news…Louisiana’s Mr. Football for 2015, Zachary Quarterback Lindsey Scott has de-committed from Syracuse. Scott has reportedly received an offer from Maryland. Mandeville receiver Parker Orgeron, the son of LSU defensive coordinator Ed Orgeron, has committed to McNeese State.

Pelicans star Anthony Davis has been named a finalist for the 2016 US men’s olympic team. Davis is one of 30 finalists and eventually the team will be cut to 12 players who will compete in the 2016 US summer Olympics in Brazil. A-D is averaging almost 23 points and 11 rebounds this year. Davis and the Pelicans battle the Memphis Grizzlies this afternoon.

LSU’s Ben Simmons has been named SEC Freshman of the Week after helping the Tigers beat Ole Miss and Arkansas last week. Simmons had a league-leading 13th double-double on Saturday as he scored 16 points and had 18 rebounds in the win over the Razorbacks.

Texas A-and-M’s Jalen Jones was named the SEC player of the week as he averaged 19 points and nine rebounds in wins over Florida and Georgia. The Aggies and tigers meet tomorrow in SEC action.

In college hoops action tonight…Nicholls State looks for its first win on the road this when they visit Sam Houston State.

Peyton Manning threw for 222 yards as the Denver Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 23-16 in an AFC Divisional Playoff. The Broncos will face the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game next Sunday.

In the NFC, Carolina held on to beat the Seattle Seahawks 31-24. The Panthers will host the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship.

Craig Victor’s put-back with four seconds remaining lifts LSU to a 76-74 win over Arkansas in SEC action. Victor finished the game with 16 points and 12 rebounds and Ben Simmons also recorded a double-double for the Tigers adding 16 points and 18 boards. LSU is now 11-6 and 4-1 in conference play. The Tigers head to College Station to face Texas A&M tomorrow night.

Louisiana Tech led by 20 at the half, but couldn’t hold on in the second and fell to Florida Atlantic 63-61. The Bulldogs gave up 47 second half points to the Owls and fall to 2-3 in Conference USA.

10th ranked SMU beat Tulane 60-45. The Green Wave actually took a three point lead early in the second half, before the Mustangs responded with an 8-0 run and pulled away for the rest of the game. The loss drops Tulane to 11-8 on the season, 1-5 in the American Conference. SMU remains the only undefeated team in Division I basketball.

In the Sun Belt, UL-Lafayette trounced Georgia State 87-54. Shawn Long led the way for the Cajuns with 23 points. UL-Lafayette is now 3-3 in the Sun Belt and will face South Alabama at home Thursday night.

ULM came up short against Georgia Southern 66-51. Justin Roberson led the Warhawks with 20 points as ULM has now lost four in a row. The Warhawks look to break that losing streak Thursday when they host Troy.

In the Southland, McNeese State beat Sam Houston State 72-68, Incarnate Word got past Southeastern Louisiana 75-71, Lamar edged Northwestern State 86-82, Houston Baptist held off UNO 73-69, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi defeated Nicholls State 76-71.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association has learned that the public-private split in football should have never happened in 2013, because of the way the vote was conducted. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

LSU running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Frank Wilson was named Friday as the new head coach for UTSA football. Wilson is the second LSU coach to leave this offseason. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele left for Auburn last month. LSU head coach Les Miles said in a statement they are going to miss Wilson who’s been a big part of what they’ve been able to accomplish.

LSU baseball assistant coach Will Davis will become Lamar University’s head coach following the conclusion of the 2016 season. Davis will take over for head coach Jim Gilligan, who is retiring at the conclusion of this season.

LSU’s draft eligible junior cornerback, Tre’Davious White, says he’s not going to reveal his decision about whether or not he’s staying with The Tigers or entering the NFL Draft until Monday, according to reports.

The Sun Belt Conference announced Friday all of the opponents that teams will play during the upcoming 2016 football season. ULM’s home slate will include Idaho, South Alabama, Texas State and UL Lafayette. The Warhawks will hit the road for games at Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Georgia Southern and Georgia State. The Ragin Cajuns will host Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Idaho and South Alabama and travel to Georgia Southern, ULM, New Mexico State and Texas State.

UL-Lafayette coach Mark Hudspeth announced senior Jalen Nixon will officially be moved to running back this season. This means sophomore Jordan Davis and redshirt freshman Chris Weaver will compete for the starting QB job.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association discovered that the public-private split in football should have never happened in 2013, because the way the vote went down violated the association’s constitution. The vote should have been done by the committee, not the school principals. Director Eddie Bonine says as of now, football playoffs are going back to 5 championships.

The University of Texas at San Antonio officially announced on Twitter this morning that Frank Wilson, the long-time LSU recruiting coordinator and running backs coach, is now going to be the new coach at UTSA. It’s reported that Wilson will make $750,000 as the Roadrunners head coach, which is a $75,000 increase from his LSU salary. Wilson is the second LSU coach to leave this off-season. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele made a lateral move to Auburn last month and has since been replaced by Dave Aranda.

LSU announced today that assistant baseball coach Will Davis will become the new head coach at Lamar after the upcoming season. He’s moving into the spot being vacated by Lamar’s legendary head coach Jim. Gilligan who announced in September that the 2016 season would be his last at the Cardnials program. Coach Paul Mainieri said he couldn’t be happier for Davis.

UL-Lafayette coach Mark Hudspeth announced senior Jalen Nixon will officially be moved to running back this season. This means sophomore Jordan Davis and redshirt freshman Chris Weaver will compete for the starting QB job.

Today is Saints Quarterback Drew Brees 37th birthday. General Manager Mickey Loomis said Thursday that Brees would remain the quarterback and that they would figure out his contract in the coming weeks.

Louisiana’s top football recruit in 2017, Dylan Moses, is transferring from U-High in Baton Rouge to IMG Academy in Florida. The one-time LSU commitment made the announcement on Twitter saying it was the toughest decision of his life.

LSU freshman basketball sensation, Ben Simmons, was in attendance yesterday during President Barack Obama’s town hall meeting in McKinley High School in Baton Rouge. The Commander-in-Chief took some time to show Simmons some love…

cut 15 (15) “Ben is better”

The Tigers return to the court tomorrow to host Arkansas in SEC play.

Last night, Florida International beat Louisiana Tech 88-74. The Bulldogs have lost two of their last three as they fall to 13-4 overall and 2-2 in Conference USA.

Shawn Long scored 23 and pulled down 17 boards to lead UL-Lafayette to a 74-65 win over Georgia Southern. The Ragin Cajuns are currently tied for sixth in the Sun Belt with ULM.

The Warhawks fell to Georgia State last night 65-51.

ULM football coach Matt Viator has made four new hires. Defensive backs coach Chris Hampton, wide receivers coach Tim Leger, and defensive line coach Manny Michel all follow Viator to ULM from McNeese State, while offensive line coach Rob Sale joins the staff after one season in the SEC at Georgia.

It’s reported that Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson will become the new head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. Pederson was a former quarterback at ULM and coached at Calvary Baptist High School in Shreveport. With Kansas City in the middle of a playoff run, an official announcement cannot be made until the Chiefs season is officially over.

LSU running backs coach Frank Wilson is leaving Baton Rouge to take the head coaching position at Texas San Antonio.

Louisiana’s top football recruit in 2017, Dylan Moses, is transferring from U-High in Baton Rouge to IMG Academy in Florida.

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said that Drew Brees is going to remain quarterback for the Black & Gold.

The LSU men’s basketball team put on an amazing performance last night beating Ole Miss 90-81. Even though The Tigers were down three at the half, they stormed back in a big way. Craig Victor led the Tigers with 18 points while Antonio Blakeney and Ben Simmons each scored 15. President Barack Obama was in Baton Rouge today and gave Simmons a shoutout…:
CUT 2 (06) “the books”
The Tigers will host Arkansas in league play Saturday.

Tonight on the college hardwood, Louisiana Tech travels to Miami to face Florida International. In the Sun Belt, UL-Lafayette is on the road to face Georgia Southern and ULM visits Georgia State.

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said today that Drew Brees is going to remain the quarterback. In fact, during the end of the season news conference Loomis chuckled at the notion that Brees would be going anywhere. Brees is scheduled to count $30 million dollars against the Saints 2016 salary cap in 2016.

LSU still isn’t sure if some of their starters on the 2015 defense will come back next year. Middle linebacker Kendell Beckwith is considering the pros, but NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Beckwith wouldn’t go in the first or second rounds. Detillier says Beckwith would benefit by playing for new LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda…:
Cut 18 (20) “draft stock”
Underclassmen prospects in college have until January 18th to declare for the NFL draft. Defensive end Lewis Neal is returning to LSU for his senior year, he said on Twitter today.

ULM coach Matt Viator made four new hires today. Defensive backs coach Chris Hampton, wide receivers coach Tim Leger and defensive line coach Manny Michel all followed Viator to ULM from McNeese State, while offensive line coach Rob Sale joins the staff after one season in the SEC at Georgia.

The LSU football team is still waiting to hear if a couple of starters on its 2015 defense will return for their senior seasons. Starting middle linebacker Kendell Beckwith is still considering a jump to the pros, but NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Beckwith would not be drafted in the first or second round, so he should come back

cut 16 (19) “do everything”

Cornerback Tredavious White is also considering turning pro. Underclassmen prospects in college have until January 18th to declare for the NFL draft.

Former Tulane quarterback Tanner Lee will reportedly visit LSU this weekend. Lee was 3-and-9 as a starter for the Green Wave the last two seasons, but asked for his release when new head coach Will Fritz took over the Tulane program. This past season, Lee threw for 16-hundred yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

In college basketball, LSU trailed by three at the half, but stormed back in the second to defeat Ole Miss 90-81 last night at the PMAC. Craig Victor led the Tigers with 18 while Antonio Blakeney and Ben Simmons each scored 15 as LSU improves to 10-6, 3-1 in SEC play. The Tigers will host Arkansas in league play Saturday.

In the Southland, it was Houston Baptist over Nicholls State 78-69.

Tonight on the college hardwood, Louisiana Tech travels to Miami to face Florida International in a Conference USA matchup. In the Sun Belt, UL-Lafayette is on the road to face Georgia Southern and ULM visits Georgia State.

The Pelicans snapped a four game losing streak by beating the Sacramento Kings last night 109-97. New Orleans led by 15 at the half and built the lead to 25 in the third quarter before cruising to victory. Anthony Davis returned to the Pels lineup, after missing two games with a bruised back, and scored 24 to help New Orleans improve to 12-26 on the season. The Pelicans will host the Charlotte Hornets Friday night.

The Saints will reportedly hire former Dolphins interim head coach Dan Campbell as he will be the new assistant head coach and tight ends coach in New Orleans. Former Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi is also expected to return to the Saints staff as he’ll coach the team’s quarterbacks. He had the same role with the Black and Gold from 2009 to 2013.

Former Tulane quarterback Tanner Lee will reportedly visit LSU this weekend. Lee was 3-and-9 as a starter for the Green Wave the alst two season, but asked for his release when new head coach Will Fritz took over the Tulane program. This past season, Lee threw for 16-hundred yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

And Louisiana Tech has reportedly lost to two assistant coaches, including former Edna Karr Karr Coach Jabbar Juluke, who is taking a job with Texas Tech. Tech defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator Ronnie Bradford is leaving after three seasons in Ruston for a job at USC.

The LSU men’s basketball team is back home tonight to take on Ole Miss. The Tigers are looking to get back in the win column after losing last weekend on the road against Florida. LSU has two games at home this week, the Rebels tonight and then Arkansas on Saturday. Tip off tonight is at 8:00.

The Pelicans conclude their three game west coast road trip tonight with a game at Sacramento. New Orleans is trying to snap a four game losing streak. Anthony Davis has not played in the last two games, because of a back injury and his availability for tonight is in question. New Orleans is 0-5 this season, when Davis is not on the floor. Tip-off is at 9:00.

Another preseason poll has the LSU baseball team ranked in the top 10. This one is Perfect Game USA, which has the Tigers ranked fifth. LSU is ranked in the top ten in three polls. UL Lafayette was ranked tenth by Perfect Game USA, there second top ten designation.

With a new semester starting in Baton Rouge today, four LSU football recruits have enrolled early. LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette says linebacker Michael Divinity, wide receiver Stephen Sullivan, cornerback Saivion Smith and running back Devin White of North Webster High School have signed and will be able to participate in spring practice.

The LSU men’s basketball team hosts Ole Miss tonight at the Maravich Center. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says slowing down Rebels guard Stefan Moody, who is averaging 24 points a game, will be the Tigers top priority…
cut 30 (18) “…Ben Simmons”
Simmons is averaging 21 points for the Tigers.

The Pelicans will look to end a four-game losing streak tonight in Sacramento. New Orleans lost again last night as they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 95-91. Anthony Davis did not play for New Orleans, because of a back injury.

The Saints are scheduled to play the Rams next season and when they do, it will be the Los Angeles Rams who visit the Mercedes Benz Superdome. NFL owners voted to move the Rams franchise from St. Louis back to L-A. The Chargers also have the option to move to Los Angeles from their current home in San Diego. The Saints will also play the Chargers next season, but on the road.

The LSU Tigers are ranked seventh and UL Lafayette is ranked 17th in the D-1 preseason college baseball poll. Florida is number one. Perfect Game USA has the Tigers ranked fifth in its poll, while the Cajuns are 10th. Florida is number one in that poll as well.

The Saints are scheduled to play the Rams next season and when they do, it will be the Los Angeles Rams who visit the Mercedes Benz Superdome. NFL owners voted to move the Rams franchise from St. Louis back to L-A. The Chargers also have the option to move to Los Angeles from their current home in San Diego. The Saints will also play the Chargers next season, but on the road.

The Pelicans lost their fourth straight game last night as they fell to the Lakers 95-91. Anthony Davis didn’t play for New Orleans, because of a back injury and Kobe Bryant played only in the first half, but Lou Williams scored nine of his 19 points in the fourth quarter to help the Lakers end their four game losing streak. New Orleans is at Sacramento tonight.

The LSU men’s basketball team hosts Ole Miss tonight. The Rebels are 12-3 overall, 2-1 in the SEC and led by five-foot-eleven guard Stefan Moody, who leads the SEC in scoring, averaging nearly 24 points a game.

The NCAA has accepted UL Lafayette’s self-imposed sanctions and added a few of their own for violations that were committed by former assistant coach David Saunders. The NCAA found that Saunders enabled recruits to take a fraudulent college extrance exam and provided cash to a former player. But the college athletics governing body found that Coach Mark Hudspeth was not responsible for the violations.

LSU’s early enrollees are scheduled to begin class today and the group includes five-star cornerback Saivion Smith, Donaldsonville wide receiver Stephen Sullivan and former North Webster running back-linebacker Devin White. Ex John Ehret linebacker Michael Divinity is also expected to be in class today.

The LSU Tigers are ranked seventh and UL Lafayette is ranked 17th in the D-1 preseason college baseball poll. Three SEC teams are ranked in the Top 5, Florida is number one, Vanderbilt is third and Texas A-and-M is fourth.