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Louisiana Tech fires Skip Holtz: Bulldogs opt for coaching change after nine years amid 3-8 season

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Louisiana Tech has fired coach Skip Holtz after nine seasons, the program announced on Friday. Holtz will coach the season finale against Rice on Saturday. He was 64-49 with the Bulldogs and led the program to seven consecutive bowl games before this down season. 

“Skip and I talked and agreed it was time for a change for both parties,” Louisiana Tech athletic director Eric Wood said. “Louisiana Tech owes Skip a debt of gratitude for his loyalty and dedication to our football student-athletes, our University, and our community over the past decade. He has been able to accomplish some things that weren’t previously done here on a consistent basis prior to his arrival. We continue to be committed to winning conference championships, and that expectation is stronger than ever.”

Just two years ago, Holtz led the program to its first ever 10-win season as Louisiana Tech split a share of the Conference USA West Division with UAB. However, the Bulldogs bottomed out in 2021 with a 3-8 record pending the results against Rice, Holtz’s first losing season since his La. Tech debut in 2013. The record included three losses against Mississippi State, SMU and NC State by a combined 10 points. 

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Louisiana Tech regressed in conference play after the tight nonconference performances. The Bulldogs handed Southern Miss its only FBS win of the season in a 35-19 loss to the Golden Eagles despite the fact that USM has played more than 10 players at quarterback. 

“This is the right time for me to evaluate a new start in my career,” Holtz said. “I’ve had the privilege of mentoring young people and building football programs for more than 30 years, including the last nine as head coach of Louisiana Tech. The past two seasons have brought additional challenges to our program, and I simply think it is time for someone else to have the chance to lead this special group of young men.”

The news comes months after several of Conference USA’s top programs announced they would leave for the American Athletic Conference and the Sun Belt, leaving Louisiana Tech, UTEP, FIU, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky as the only remaining members. Conference USA has since added Liberty, New Mexico State and FCS transitioning members Jacksonville State and Sam Houston. 

Louisiana Tech plays Rice at 1 p.m. on Saturday in Houston. Both teams enter at 3-9. 

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Lakers’ LeBron James upgraded from out to doubtful for Sunday’s game vs. Bulls

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LeBron James could be inching closer to a return to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup.

James, who hasn’t played since Feb. 26 due to an injury to his left foot, has been upgraded from out to doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bulls.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday that the Lakers are optimistic James will return for the final few games of the regular season.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer is averaging 29.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.9 assists this season.

Los Angeles (37-37) is eighth in the Western Conference and riding a three-game winning streak.

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Creighton, San Diego State both eye first Final Four

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Creighton and San Diego State have dreamed of being in this situation for years. And it’s not the first team each team has stood in the other’s way.



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Ivan Ivan, Evan Vierling among CHL overage players being eyed by NHL teams

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Ivan Ivan, Evan Vierling, Logan Dowhaniuk and Aidan De La Gorgendiere are among the CHL overage players being eyed by NHL teams, according to Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek.

Ivan, a 20-year-old centre with the QMJHL’s Cape Breton Eagles, scored 33 goals and 90 points in 64 games this season. The native of Ostrava, Czechia, is being pursued by six teams, according to Marek.

Vierling, a centre from Aurora, Ont., is also particularly intriguing.

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“[He] was once upon a time a draft pick of the New York Rangers [and] didn’t assign,” Marek said during Saturday’s 32 Thoughts segment on Hockey Night in Canada. “Tearing up the OHL [with] 95 points for the Barrie Colts. Went to Columbus [Blue Jackets] camp last season — they almost signed him. He’ll get picked up this year for sure.”

Dowhaniuk, a defenceman, was traded to the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors from the Edmonton Oil Kings in December. He potted four goals and 17 points in 39 games for the Saskatchewan club.

De La Gorgendiere, also a defenceman, enjoyed a strong season with the Saskatoon Blades, scoring 12 goals and 65 points in 65 games. His 155 career points with the Blades ties him with Wendel Clark for tenth in all-time points by a defenceman in team history.

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