Louisiana regent calls for several Pelican State programs to drop to FCS ranks
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There’s a spending problem in college sports these days. Athletic departments across the country find themselves running at major deficits anymore. In Louisiana, one member of the state’s higher education governing board suggested a drastic measure to mitigate monetary losses.
Wilbert Pryor, a Louisiana Board of Regents member, suggested three of the state’s FBS football programs — the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks — drop to the Football Championship Series (FCS) level of Division-1 competition. The comments, reported by Greg Hillburn of the Shreveport Times, came during budget hearings on Sept. 22.
“Schools that are trying to play Division-I… [that’s] just a sinking hole trying to play Division-I ball,” Pryor reportedly said. “I don’t think much of the public would know the difference if they all play the same level, and it seems like they have to have a self-realization and put a humble cap on. They have to have a humble pie.”
Pryor pointed to the schools’ deficits — “$20 million at [Louisiana], $17 million at [LA] Tech, $10 million at ULM,” per the meeting — as justification for the potential move.
Ragin Review’s Nick Dominque pointed to LSU’s reported $44 million deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year as a contributing factor to the state’s financial concerns. From Hillburn’s reporting, it doesn’t appear Pryor mentioned the Tigers’ spending.
University of Louisiana System President Rick Gallot says the system has contracted Deloitte — a financial services firm — to “evaluate the programs and develop a sustainability path.” Fans of the Bulldogs, Ragin’ Cajuns and Warhawks will certainly not be happy if their recommendation backs Pryor’s desire.
