Louisiana, it’s all about football! 

A lengthy article appeared in newspapers across the country by syndicated columnist George Will concerning the innovative programs involving higher education throughout the south. The University of Tennessee was recognized because of its Institute of American Civics. The University of North Carolina, my alma mater, because of its School of Civic Life and Leadership. The University of Mississippi because of its Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom. There was no mention of Louisiana’s flagship, LSU. 

The state’s major university did make big news across the country. It hired a new football coach. It ran off the last head coach having to pay him a total of $54 million as a buyout. The former athletic director, who also was recently fired, summed it up insightfully. The top three priorities at LSU are number one, football. Second would be football and the third? Oh yeah, it’s football.