Could a trio of Louisiana college football teams step down a level? That’s what one member of the Louisiana Board of Regents is suggesting. During the University of Louisiana System budget hearings, Wilbert Pryor suggested UL Lafayette, ULM and Louisiana Tech should all drop from the FBS to the FCS. Pryor, who’s a Shreveport attorney, says all three of the schools’ athletics departments are operating in deficits.
“Lafayette, that’s a $20 million athletic debt; and then Tech, $17 million and ULM, $10 million,” Pryor noted.
UL System President Rick Gallot agreed that cost reduction steps must be taken but is waiting on a sustainability evaluation from Deloitte to make his recommendations to the board. He says the board will not shy away from tough decisions.
“We will have data-supported recommendations that we will make to our board to determine what the future looks like for athletics,” Gallot said.
Pryor says he doesn’t think much of the public will tell the difference if all three schools play at the same level.
“I think the duties of the coach at Louisiana Tech are the same duties as the coach at Nicholls State. One is getting paid $250,000; one is getting paid a million dollars. And you just have to digest if that’s what’s in the best interest of your school with your enrollment,” Pryor explained.
Other UL system schools – Grambling, McNeese, Nicholls, Northwestern State and Southeastern Louisiana – already play in the FCS.