Based on all media reports, LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis has agreed to a three-year contract with Texas A-and-M to become the new defensive coordinator for the Aggies. Assistant Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says one possible candidate to replace Chavis is former Ole Miss head coach and Louisiana native Ed Orgeron…
cut 30 (06) “….defensive line coach’
It’s been reported that LSU has reached out to former USC defensive coordiantor Clancy Pendergast. He’s also been a defensive coordinator on the NFL level, including a stint with the Arizona Cardinals, when they went to the Super Bowl in the 2008 season.

LSU linebacker Kwon Alexander is heading to the NFL. He announced on twitter that he’ll forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft. Alexander was LSU’s leading tackler this past season. There’s also speculation defensive back Jalen Collins will turn pro.

It was a really tough loss for the Pelicans last night in San Antonio. They had a two point lead with less than a second left in regulation. The Spurs inbounded, trying to get the ball to Tim Duncan, but the ball hit off of the Pelicans Omer Asik’s hand and through the hoop to tie the game. New Orleans went on to lose 95-93 in overtime, despite 21 points and 12 rebounds from Anthony Davis. The Pels host the Rockets tomorrow night.

In college hoops yesterday…Northwestern State beat Louisiana college 94-68. Five players were in double figures for the Demons, who were led by Zeek Woodley’s 20 points. Also yesterday,,,,Tulane topped East Carolina 67-59, Jonathan Stark had 22 points to lead the Green Wave.

In the NFL, after five seasons, former Saints head coach Jim Haslett is no longer the defensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins. And the Saints have signed defensive back Kenny Phillips to their offseason roster. He’s a former first round pick, but hasn’t played the last two seasons because of knee injuries.

Numerous media outlets are reporting LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis is leaving for the same job at Texas A-and-M. Chavis has been LSU’s defensive coordinator the last six years and made one-point-three million dollars this past season. LSU offered him a new contract, but Tiger Rag Assistant editor James Moran says the Aggies are willing to pay “The chief” a higher annual salary…
cut 13 (08) “…over the top”
It’s been reported the Aggies are willing to give “Chief” a 400-thousand dollar raise. Coach Les Miles was asked about losing Chavis to an SEC West rival….
cut 15 (14) “…play like hell”

Not much of a surprise here, but LSU linebacker Kwon Alexander announced on a social media site that he’s forgoing his senior season and entering the NFL draft. Alexander led the Tigers in tackles this past season and forced two fumbles.

In college bowl action today…TCU thumped Ole Miss 42-3 to finish the season 12-and-1. The Rebels end the 2014 campaign with a 9-and-4 record. They had just 139 yards of total offense today.

In NFL news…Former Saints head coach Jim Haslett is out of a job. Haslett has worked as the defensive coordinator for the Redskins since 2010, but the two sides have decided to part ways.

In the NBA…the Pelicans are at San Antonio tonight. New Orleans already owns two victories this season over the defending champs. They beat the Spurs last Friday in the Smoothie King Center and won in San Antonio on November 8th. Tip-off tonight is at 6 PM.

The John Chavis watch is on. Will he return to Baton Rouge and remain LSU’s defensive coordinator or will he take the same job at Texas A-and-M. Following the Tigers loss to Notre Dame in yesterday’s Music City Bowl, Coach Les Miles spoke about the “Chief” in the past tense…
cut 14 (13) “…to say”
Chavis and Miles reportedly met last night and it’s also been reported Chavis did not return with the team to Baton Rouge, on its chartered flight. Instead, he went to his home in Tennessee, where he’ll think more about the decision he has to make.

Former Saints Head Coach Jim Haslett is looking for a new job. Haslett has been the defensive coordinator for the Redskins the last five seasons, but Washington and Haslett have decided to part ways.

Tyreke Evans led all scorers with 24 points as the Pelicans defeated Phoenix 110 to 106 last night at the Smoothie King Center. Jrue Holiday added 21 points and six assists, while Anthony Davis had 19 points and a season-high 18 rebounds. New Orleans is at San Antonio tonight.

McNeese State scored the first eight points last night and never looked back as it easily defeated Mississippi State 66 to 47. It’s only the fourth time ever that the Cowboys have defeated a team from the SEC.

The Ragin Cajuns began Sun Belt play with an 83-79 overtime win over Arkansas Little Rock last night. Shawn Long led the way with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Kasey Shepherd added 20 points and five assists. Shepherd also drained four three-pointers.

U-L-M fell to Georgia State 65-45. The Warhawks led by three at halftime, but were outscored 20-1 during a portion of the second-half.

Kyle Brindza’s 32-yard field goal as time expired lifted Notre Dame to a 31-28 victory over LSU in yesterday’s Music City Bowl in Nashville. However, Tiger Freshman running back Leonard Fournette did impress. Fournette rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns, including an 89 yarder. He also returned a kickoff 100 yards for a score. LSU ends their season with an 8-5 record.

The game may not be the only thing LSU loses as it’s also possible they are losing their very successful defensive coordinator. Reports indicate that John Chavis will leave LSU for the same job at Texas A-and-M. Chavis spoke with reporters after the game, but didn’t want to talk about his future…

cut 13 (10) “okay”

But it’s been reported the Aggies are willing to give “Chief” a 400-thousand dollar raise.

The Pelicans held off the Phoenix Suns last night, 110-106. Tyreke Evans lead all scorers with 24 and Jrue Holiday added 21 as the Pels end the Suns six game winning streak. The Pelicans travel to take on San Antonio tonight.

In college basketball, McNeese State shot 52-percent from the field, including 8 out of 17 three pointers, as they upset Mississippi State last night 66-47. Senior Desharick Guidry pumped in 20 points as the Cowboys win for the first time the ever in Starkville. McNeese improves to 6-5 and will host Stephen F. Austin Saturday night.

In the Sun Belt, UL-Lafayette opened their conference schedule with an 83-79 overtime win over Arkansas-Little Rock. Junior Shawn Long scored 23 and guard Kasey Shepherd threw in 20 for the Ragin Cajuns, who never trailed in overtime. UL-Lafayette improves to 7-5.

ULM’s Sun Belt schedule started off a little rocky as the Warhawks were crushed by Georgia State, 65-45. Not a single ULM player scored in double figures, as they were lead by Jamaal Samuel’s nine points. The Warhawks sit at 6-6 on the season.

LSU and Notre Dame are tied at 28 in the 4th quarter. Leonard Fournette has three touchdowns, including a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

The Pelicans play their final home game of the 2014 calendar year as they host the Phoenix Suns. Antony Davis enters this contest, averaging 24 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots a game. The Suns are red hot as they’ve won six in a row and they lead the Pels by two games for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Sun Belt play begins tonight and the Cajuns and Warhawks are both on the road. U-L-M is at Sun Belt preseason favorite Georgia State. The Warhawks are five and two all-time against the Panthers. U-L Lafayette visits Arkansas Little Rock. The Cajuns should be able to score at will, they are averaging 82 points a game, while the Trojans are allowing a league worst 71 points a game.

Also tonight…McNeese State is at Mississippi State. Nicholls State hosts Spring Hill. Last night it was LSU 87-67 over Southern Miss and Louisiana Tech defeated Southern Arkansas 75-57.

LSU battles Notre Dame this afternoon in the Music City Bowl on ESPN. Fighting Irish Coach Brian Kelly has decided to start sophomore Malik Zaire (Zie-Ear) at quarterback over senior Everett Golson. Kelly on his decision…
cut 13 (10) “….obviously”
In response to Kelly’s announcement, LSU coach Les Miles made it clear the starting quarterback switch wouldn’t change much in the way his defense heads into Tuesday’s game…
cut 15 (12) “…how it unfolds”
And Miles is expected to start Anthony Jennings at quarterback. It remains a mystery whether back-up Brandon Harris will play.

The LSU men’s basketball team won its 7th straight last night as they defeated Southern Miss 87-67. Jarrell Martin had 24 points and nine rebounds to lead the way.

Louisiana Tech had an easy win over Southern Arkansas last night. The Bulldogs won 74-52 for their 20th straight win in the Thomas Assembly Center. Alex Hamilton had 17 points and now has over 1,000 for his career.

Sun Belt play starts tonight for U-L-M and U-L Lafayette. The Ragin Cajuns are at Akransas Little Rock, while the Warhawks visit Georgia State. The Cajuns have won five of their last seven, while the Warhawks are 6-and-5, first time since the 2007-08 season they’ve had a winning record in non-conference play.

In the NBA…the Pelicans host the Phoenix Suns tonight. New Orleans is two games back of Phoenix for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Music City Bowl is today featuring the LSU Tigers and Notre Dame. The game kicks off at 2pm and will be televised on ESPN. Notre Dame will start sophomore Malik Zaire (Ma-Leak, Zie-Ear) at quarterback in place of senior Everett Golson. Golson started all 12 regular season games for the Irish but had struggled down the stretch and was pulled in favor of Zaire during Notre Dame’s 49-14 loss to USC in the regular-season finale. Irish coach Brian Kelly says they are pleased with the way Golson has looked the past couple of weeks…

cut 14 (12) “obviously”

In response to Kelly’s announcement, LSU coach Les Miles made it clear the starting quarterback switch wouldn’t change much in the way his defense heads into today’s game. The game kicks off at 2pm and will be televised on ESPN.

The Pelicans return to the Smoothie King Center tonight to take on the Phoenix Suns. The Pels are 15-15 and coming off a 107-100 weekend road loss to the Chicago Bulls. The Suns carry a six-game winning streak into tonight’s contest. Tipoff is scheduled for 7PM.

In college hoops action, LSU continues their winning ways as they defeated Southern Miss 87-67 last night in Baton Rouge. Sophomore forward Jarell Martin lead the Tigers in scoring with 24. Jordan Mickey added 14 points and 10 rebounds as LSU improves to 10-2. The Tigers have won their last 7 games.

Louisiana Tech blew past Southern Arkansas, 74-52. Alex Hamilton lead the Bulldogs with 17 points, Xavian Stapleton came off the bench to add 16. Muleriders’ guard Jaron Davis lead all scorers with 18. Tech improves to 9-4 for the season, a perfect 7-0 at home.

Southern falls to 3-11 as they lose to Hawaii 71-57. Tre Lynch lead the Jags with 13 points in the loss.

A full slate of action scheduled for tonight, ULM travels to Georgia State for a big Sun Belt matchup, Nicholls State hosts Spring Hill, McNeese State hits the road to take on Mississippi State, Arkansas Little Rock hosts UL-Lafayette in another Sun Belt matchup, and UNO will take on Central Baptist College.

It’s probably a Saints season that the Who Dat Nation would prefer to forget. New Orleans beat Tampa Bay yesterday 23-20 but some fans aren’t happy about that because we’re down to likely number 13 in the first round for next year’s draft. These Black and Gold fans didn’t hold back when we asked their feelings…:
CUT 12 (09) “entire team”
NFL teams can sign free agents starting March 10. The draft begins April 30.

NFL Analsyt Mike Detillier says now the team needs to focus on getting some solid players at center and cornerback and with the right personnel moves, the team can get right back to wining. He reminds the Black & Gold faithful of 2005…:
CUT 18 (12) “Championship Game”
Coach Sean Payton was asked about possible changes but said making any such comment would be inappropriate only one day after the season.

Today at Music City Bowl Press Conference in Nashville, LSU coach Les Miles praised Michigan’s reported hiring of former 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh…:
CUT 1 (15) “Go Blue”
The Music City Bowl is scheduled for 2pm tomorrow and will be broadcast on ESPN. The last time LSU faced Notre Dame was in the 2007 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

In college hoops tonight, LSU hosts Southern Miss, you can watch that game on the SEC Network, Southern is in Honolulu to take on Hawaii, and Louisiana Tech takes on the Muleriders of Southern Arkansas.

An ugly 2014 New Orleans Saints football season is officially behind us. Many Black & Gold faithful now wonder what happens next. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says you should expect to see major player changes due to the teams salary cap situation. He also says it wouldn’t be surprising to see some coaching changes on the Saints’ sideline, either…

Cut 17 (09) “football team”

Detillier calls the 2014 season the most disappointing season in the history of the franchise.

The Atlanta Falcons announced the firing of head coach Mike Smith earlier today. The Falcons finished 6-10 this season, their second consecutive losing season under Smith. In his seven years leading Atlanta, Smith lead the Falcons to the playoffs four times.

It is reported that the University of Michigan has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday to announce the hiring of former San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh as their new football coach. The apparent agreement ends a nearly monthlong coaching search that included speculation that LSU head coach Les Miles would head the Wolverine program.

Louisiana Tech trounced the University of Illinois 35-18 in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl. Senior quarterback Cody Sokol threw for 247 yards and one touchdown and sophomore defensive back Xavier Woods brought an interception back 69 yards for a touchdown as the Bulldogs win their first bowl game since the 2008 Independence Bowl.

In Saturday’s Duck Commander Independence Bowl in Shreveport, the South Carolina Gamecocks held of the University of Miami Hurricanes, 24-21. This is South Carolina’s fourth straight bowl game win.

Tomorrow night, number 22 LSU faces off with Notre Dame in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl in Nashville.

In college basketball, the 17th ranked St. Johns Red Storm defeated Tulane 82-57 and Arkansas held off Northwestern State 100-92.

Tonight LSU hosts Southern Miss, you can watch that game on the SEC Network, Southern is in Honolulu to take on Hawaii, and Louisiana Tech takes on the Muleriders of Southern Arkansas.

Tampa Bay lead the Saints, 20-7 at the end of three quarters but couldn’t hold on as the Black & Gold scored 16 in the fourth to eke out a 23-20 win in their last game of the season. Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 281 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions as the Saints finish their disappointing season at 7-9.

Now, many Black & Gold faithful wonder what happens next. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says the salary cap will play a big role for next year’s Saints team. He says, first, several veterans will be asked to rework their contract to save money under the cap. Then, Detillier says, the team needs to go to the “Bank of Brees”…

Cut 16 (09) “room, cap-wise”

He says the team should focus on getting a center and cornerback through free agency and work to get a big time pass rusher through the draft.

The Carolina Panthers will represent the NFC South in the playoffs this year. Carolina crushed the Atlanta Falcons 34-3 to win the division championship.

Louisiana Tech trounced the University of Illinois 35-18 in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl. Senior quarterback Cody Sokol threw for 247 yards and one touchdown and sophomore defensive back Xavier Woods brought an interception back 69 yards for a touchdown as the Bulldogs win their first bowl game since the 2008 Independence Bowl.

In Saturday’s Duck Commander Independence Bowl in Shreveport, the South Carolina Gamecocks held of the University of Miami Hurricanes, 24-21. This is South Carolina’s fourth straight bowl game win.

Tomorrow night, number 22 LSU faces off with Notre Dame in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl in Nashville.

In college basketball, the 17th ranked St. Johns Red Storm defeated Tulane 82-57 and Arkansas held off Northwestern State 100-92.

Tonight LSU hosts Southern Miss, you can watch that game on the SEC Network, Southern is in Honolulu to take on Hawaii, and Louisiana Tech takes on the Muleriders of Southern Arkansas.