Tulane head coach and New Orleans Saints wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson has begun making staff changes.

While Johnson has considered many, the best bet on the current Tulane staff to be retained is secondary coach Jason Rollins, according to sources close to the situation. Rollins recruits New Orleans and has built many contacts with area high school coaches.

SLU has named Delta State head coach Ron Roberts as its successor to Mike Lucas. The Lions have access to enough talent in the Tangipahoa, Northshore, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans areas to win a Southland Conference title. The big issue is that compensation for assistants is not close to competitive with other conference schools. Time for the SLU brass to step up and make a commitment to the program and Roberts.

Wide receivers coach Tyronee Williams has the best shot of any staff member of being retained. Delta State defensive coordinator Pete Golding, a Hammond native, could come to SLU with Roberts. Delta State offensive coordinator Greg Stevens could join Roberts as well, but may have a shot at the head coaching position at Delta.

The top high school vacancy in the metro area is at Destrehan, where Chris Stroud will no longer be the head coach after two years at the helm. There is no shortage of interest in the opening, as 27 coaches have applied to head the Wildcat program. Some in house candidates, outside coordinators, and former and present head coaches are in the mix. Look for the decision makers to whittle down the list to a manageable number to interview after returning from the break, then make a decision by Friday, January 20th.

Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Dykes is a possibility for the University of Houston job. Kevin Sumlin left over a week ago to tend to the Texas A&M program.

Look for UL-Lafayette head coach Mark Hudspeth to be one of the hottest commodities in coaching during the 2012 coaching carousel.

Lutcher defensive back Jordan Batiste is reportedly looking at joining the Ragin Cajuns at midterm.

USM is naming South Carolina defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson as their new head coach today. It would not be surprising to see Johnson, a stickler on defense, go after a veteran coach to coordinate his Golden Eagle defense. Could Tommy West, former head coach at Memphis and Clemson, be a target.

If Les Miles has any vacancy on the offensive side of the football after the BCS title game with Alabama, deposed Memphis head coach Larry Porter could be a candidate to return to LSU. Miles has a very close relationship with Porter and the assistant coach is a top recruiter nationally.

Pittsburgh could be waiting to offer Florida International head coach Mario Cristobal its football position after Cristobal's team completes its season after tonight's bowl game. Iowa State's Paul Rhoads was the top target but he signed a long term extension with the Cyclones.