Back to Louisiana for Wilson: Frank Wilson, the wide receivers coach at Tennessee, is being considered for an opening on the LSU football staff, reports Glenn Guilbeau, who covers the Tigers for Gannett Louisiana News. Wilson is in line to replace LSU running backs coach Larry Porter, who left to become the head football coach at Memphis. Wilson, a New Orleans native, was up for an LSU assistant coaching job in 2003, back when he was the head coach at O. Perry Walker High School. Since then, he’s been a running backs coach at Ole Miss and Southern Mississippi, and became a Volunteer this year. “LSU coaches with Louisiana ties have been few and far between,” writes Guilbeau. “Wilson’s ties to talent-rich New Orleans and throughout the Southeast would greatly benefit LSU’s recruiting efforts.”
Facing the future: The University of Louisiana at Monroe is gathering information on how to increase private support for the school’s athletic programs. ULM officials say they are taking the steps in light of recent budget cuts and future reductions expected to come down over the next two years. “We need a plan to broaden our basis of support to those many fans that want to help the programs, but have just not been contacted,” says Bobby Staub, ULM athletic director. Staub, ULM booster Bruce Hanks, the University Athletic Council and the ULM Athletic Foundation are reviewing the current strategic plan for the athletic department and providing updates in light of the budget cuts and the decision to replace former football coach Charlie Weatherbie.
