LSU Assistant Coach, Larry Porter to Become New University of Memphis Head Coach

According to numerous sources making announcements on TV and the internet, LSU assistant coach, Larry Porter, is to be named the new Head Coach at the University of Memphis today in a press conference to be held this afternoon at 3:00 pm on the Memphis campus.

Porter, a former running back at the University of Memphis in the '90's made the final candidate selection list along with Jerry Gray, assistant coach of the Washington Redskins. Earlier this week, ESPN announced that the job would be filled by Gray. However, University of Memphis denied that claim.

Porter has been coaching with the LSU Head Coach Les Miles for eight seasons at LSU and formerly at Oklahoma State. Not only will LSU be losing a good running back coach, but an excellent recruiter.

Porter has been named the Rivals.com National Recruiter of the Year twice. He was a major influence in Joseph Addai's development at LSU, who became a first round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2006.

Porter has also coached two all-time great rushers at LSU who have achieved over 1,000 yards rushing. Jacob Hester and Charles Scott, both flourished under Porter's leadership. Hester was drafted in the third round by the San Diego Chargers in 2008. Charles Scott is a senior on the team, who suffered from a broken collar bone earlier this month.

Tommy West, former Head Coach at University of Memphis was fired earlier this month. West coached his final game at Memphis this past Friday night, where the Tigers lost in overtime to Tulsa with a final score of 33-30.

Last season West's team finished up the regular season with a 6-6 record and faced South Florida in the St. Petersburg Bowl where they lost 41-14.

Porter will finish out the season at LSU, as will Tommy West at University of Memphis.

One thing is a bit ironic in the fact that Porter will still be coaching Tigers!

Sources:

SI.com

The Advocate