Well, folks. We finally did it.

After years of conversations, debates, suggestions, rumors, and probably enough rejected mascot concepts to fill a small museum, the University of Louisiana officially has a new mascot.

And he's a puppy.

A seven-week-old Catahoula Leopard Dog, to be exact.

During halftime of Saturday's football game against South Alabama at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium, Louisiana officially introduced the newest member of the Ragin' Cajuns family. A beautiful blue merle Catahoula with distinctive markings, striking eyes, and a face that will probably sell more merchandise than half the athletic department combined.

But while everyone is talking about the puppy, the name, the unveiling, and whether or not they like the choice, I figured this would be a good opportunity to share a little story.

Because sometimes the best stories in college athletics aren't the ones that happen on the field, during the press conference, or even on the giant video board.

Sometimes they're the ones that happen behind the scenes.

And in this particular case, Ragin' Review accidentally found itself smack-dab in the middle of a little piece of Louisiana mascot history.

The Interview That Almost Ruined Everything

A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of welcoming University President Dr. Ramesh Kolluru onto one of our Ragin' Review shows.

We talked about athletics, the future of the university, and some of the initiatives surrounding Louisiana's continued growth. It was a really good conversation, and Dr. Kolluru was as open and engaging as we've come to expect.

As we were wrapping things up, I decided to ask one final question.

Not exactly the most sophisticated journalistic inquiry I've ever made, but certainly one that plenty of Louisiana fans have been asking for years.

"Are we ever going to get a freakin' mascot?"

Now, in my mind, I expected the standard administrative response.

Something along the lines of, "We're always evaluating opportunities to enhance the student experience," or "It's something we're continuing to explore."

You know. The kind of answer that says absolutely nothing while somehow using 47 words to do it.

Instead, Dr. Kolluru answered enthusiastically.

"Yes! I am announcing it here exclusively. We are getting a mascot!"

Well, alright then.

That escalated quickly.

He continued talking for another few minutes about the plans, the excitement surrounding the project, and what it could mean for the university. He didn't reveal too many specifics, but he certainly made it clear that something was happening.

Meanwhile, somewhere behind the scenes, I could practically feel the collective blood pressure of the university's marketing and communications folks reaching dangerous levels.

I wasn't looking at them, obviously.

But I imagine there were a few people melting into their chairs, staring at their screens, wondering how an otherwise perfectly normal athletics interview had suddenly turned into an unscheduled mascot announcement.

And there I was, just sitting there thinking, "Well, this is fantastic content."

Because it was.

It was also probably the exact moment that several people who had been working on this project for months, if not longer, briefly reconsidered their career choices.

The Phone Call

Not long after the show ended, my phone rang.

It was the university's marketing folks.

And before they could even get the question out of their mouths, I said:

"You want us to cut that part, don't you?"

Of course they did.

And look, I get it.

As someone who spends a good bit of time creating content, organizing events, building partnerships, and trying to make sure things go according to plan, I understand just how much work happens behind the scenes before the public ever sees the finished product.

These folks had been working on this mascot initiative for a LONG time.

There were meetings, planning sessions, creative concepts, coordination between departments, promotional materials, and an entire rollout strategy designed to introduce something special to the Louisiana community.

The last thing they needed was some guy with a microphone asking a question at the end of a podcast and accidentally spoiling the surprise.

And I certainly didn't want to become known as the guy who ruined the university's mascot reveal.

Imagine that legacy.

Years from now, people could be walking around campus saying, "You remember that guy from Ragin' Review? Yeah, he's the reason we couldn't have nice things."

No thanks.

So, in good faith, we agreed to remove that portion of the interview.

We could have kept it. We could have run with the exclusive. We could have celebrated breaking the news before the university was ready.

But sometimes there's something more important than getting the scoop.

There's respecting the work that other people have put into something, especially when you know how much it means to them.

And, quite frankly, I wanted the announcement to be everything those folks had envisioned.

A Little Something in Return

Now, here's where the story gets even better.

As part of our conversations following that little accidental announcement, Ragin' Review will have the opportunity to partner with the university's team as the mascot is officially introduced to fans next year, including the rollout of the costumed mascot later in 2027.

That's something we're genuinely excited about.

For a platform that started with a few fans sitting around talking about Louisiana athletics, getting the chance to participate in something that could become a longstanding university tradition is pretty special.

Think about that for a second.

Years from now, when kids are taking pictures with the mascot, students are celebrating with him at games, and generations of Louisiana fans have grown up with this new tradition, we'll be able to look back and know we played a small part in its beginning.

Even if our initial contribution was nearly blowing the entire operation.

There's something wonderfully fitting about that.

And I want to give the university's communications and marketing team some credit here. They handled the situation professionally, understood where we were coming from, and worked with us to turn what could have been an awkward situation into something positive.

That's how relationships between the university and independent fan media should work.

We can ask difficult questions, criticize decisions, and hold people accountable while still recognizing opportunities to work together for the betterment of Louisiana.

And sometimes, those relationships lead to opportunities you never would have expected.

So, yes, Ragin' Review is now a tiny, somewhat accidental footnote in the history of Louisiana's new mascot.

I suppose there are worse things to be remembered for.

So, Why a Catahoula?

With the behind-the-scenes story out of the way, let's talk about the actual mascot.

Personally, I think the choice makes a tremendous amount of sense.

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is uniquely Louisiana. It's been our official state dog since 1979, and the breed represents qualities that align pretty well with the Ragin' Cajuns identity.

Loyalty. Intelligence. Toughness. Independence.

And a certain stubbornness that anyone who has followed Louisiana athletics for more than five minutes can probably appreciate.

There's also something refreshing about choosing a mascot that actually represents the place we're from.

We're not trying to manufacture an identity or borrow one from another university.

We're embracing something that's already part of Louisiana.

According to the university's announcement, a committee made up of students, alumni, athletics representatives, faculty, community stakeholders, and administrators unanimously selected the Catahoula.

Dr. Kolluru also emphasized that Louisiana will be the only public university and NCAA Division I athletic program in the country with a live Catahoula mascot.

That's pretty cool.

And while the mascot himself will eventually have a name, the athletic teams aren't changing theirs.

We're still the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns.

Nobody's becoming the Louisiana Catahoulas.

Relax.

Where Was the Puppy Saturday Night?

One of the immediate questions following the announcement was why the university didn't have the actual puppy at the game.

And I understand the disappointment.

When you announce a new mascot, especially one that's a living, breathing animal, fans naturally want to see him.

They want pictures. They want to interact with him. They want to celebrate the newest addition to the family.

But there's one pretty important detail people seem to be overlooking.

He's seven weeks old.

Seven. Weeks.

We're talking about a puppy that is still figuring out the world around him.

And we want to throw him into a football stadium full of screaming fans, fireworks, marching bands, loudspeakers, and whatever else happens during a Louisiana football game?

Come on, people.

I know we want the mascot to be tough, but maybe we can give him a little time before expecting him to handle third down against Southern Miss.

The university explained that the puppy is currently remaining with his breeder while undergoing extensive training. That includes basic obedience, socialization, and gradually becoming comfortable around crowds and loud noises.

And that's exactly how it should be.

A live mascot isn't simply a prop you bring out for a photo opportunity. Sorry Governor Landry. We weren't going to "Mike the Tiger" this one.

It's an animal that requires care, training, patience, and a controlled environment to ensure his safety and well-being.

The plan is for the puppy to make periodic visits to campus during his training, potentially appear at a basketball game in January 2027, and move to Lafayette in the spring.

His official debut as Louisiana's live mascot is scheduled for fall 2027.

A separate costumed mascot is also expected to debut during the 2027 football season.

In other words, this isn't just about introducing a cute puppy.

It's about building a tradition that can last for years.

And doing it right matters far more than rushing things for one Saturday night.

The Reactions: Because We Can't Have Anything Without an Argument

Naturally, the announcement brought out plenty of opinions.

Some fans absolutely love it.

They love the Catahoula. They love the Louisiana connection. They love the idea of a live mascot that students, children, alumni, and fans can rally around.

Others?

Well, not so much.

Some wanted an alligator. Some wanted something more closely associated with the traditional Ragin' Cajuns imagery. Others weren't thrilled with how the announcement unfolded, especially the fact that the puppy wasn't physically present.

And I'm sure there are a few people out there who have already decided the mascot is somehow responsible for our third-down conversion percentage.

That's just Louisiana athletics.

We could announce that every fan attending the next football game would receive a million dollars, a lifetime supply of boudin, and free parking at every athletic event, and somebody would complain that the boudin wasn't from their favorite meat market.

You simply cannot make everyone happy.

And that's okay.

People are allowed to have opinions. They're allowed to prefer something different. They're allowed to question decisions.

Lord knows we do plenty of that ourselves.

But I also think it's important to recognize the bigger picture.

A mascot isn't created for just one generation of fans.

It's something that grows with the university.

The real value of this decision won't necessarily be measured by social media reactions the morning after the announcement.

It'll be measured five, ten, or twenty years from now when young fans have grown up associating that mascot with Louisiana.

When kids are excited to go to their first game because they get to see him.

When alumni return to campus and take pictures with him.

When he becomes part of the traditions that connect generations of Ragin' Cajuns.

That's where the magic happens.

You don't manufacture that kind of connection overnight.

You build it.

And What About Albineaux?

Of course, we can't discuss a new Louisiana mascot without addressing the large, white alligator in the room.

Albineaux.

For those unfamiliar, Albineaux has become something of an unofficial mascot and fan favorite within the Louisiana community.

And naturally, some people have wondered what the introduction of a Catahoula means for our beloved albino alligator.

My answer?

Absolutely nothing has to change. Why can't both exist?

Albineaux represents something fun, unique, and organic that developed within the fan base. He's become part of the culture surrounding Louisiana athletics, and there's no reason that needs to disappear simply because the university has selected an official mascot.

In fact, I think the two could complement each other beautifully.

One is the university's official live mascot, representing Louisiana's culture and traditions.

The other is a fan-created personality that has carved out his own place in the hearts of Cajuns supporters.

College athletics is full of traditions that weren't necessarily created in a university boardroom. Sometimes the fans create something, embrace it, and turn it into a tradition of their own. And that's part of what makes college sports special.

Albineaux doesn't need an official university title to matter to the people who love him.

Besides, we're talking about Louisiana.

If there's anywhere in the country that should be able to peacefully coexist with a dog and an alligator, it's here.

And if the two ever appear together at an event, I can almost guarantee the photo opportunities will be fantastic.

Now Comes the Fun Part: Naming Him

The university has narrowed the potential names to five finalists and is giving fans an opportunity to help make the final selection.

Fans can rank their favorite names through November 17, with the winning name scheduled to be revealed during the November 21 home football game against Coastal Carolina.

And this is where everyone gets a chance to play a part in the story.

Regardless of whether the Catahoula was your first choice, your fifth choice, or something you never even considered, this is an opportunity to help shape a tradition that could be around for generations.

So take a few minutes and cast your vote.

And please, for the love of everything holy, remember that we're naming a dog.

Not selecting a new athletic director.

Although, given how passionate this fan base can be, I'm not entirely convinced the debates will be any less intense.

Vote for the new mascot's name — Official UL ballot

Voting closes November 17, 2026.

Sometimes the Best Stories Happen When Nobody's Watching

I keep coming back to that interview with Dr. Kolluru.

What started as a simple, somewhat sarcastic question at the end of a conversation about Louisiana athletics turned into one of those behind-the-scenes moments I'll probably remember for a long time.

Not because we almost broke the news.

Not because we had an exclusive that never aired.

But because it reminded me how many people are working behind the scenes to make this university better.

We spend a lot of time on Ragin' Review talking about wins and losses, coaching decisions, administrative choices, facilities, budgets, and expectations.

And rightfully so.

We're fans. We're passionate. We want Louisiana to succeed, and we're certainly not going to stop asking difficult questions just because somebody gives us a puppy.

But it's also worth acknowledging the people who spend months working on projects that fans may only see for a few minutes.

The marketing team that planned the rollout. The administrators who helped make the decision. The committee that evaluated the possibilities. The individuals responsible for making sure this puppy is properly trained and cared for.

All of that work matters.

And while the public sees the finished product, the stories behind the curtain are often just as entertaining.

Trust me.

I now have firsthand experience with what happens when a university president enthusiastically announces something he probably wasn't supposed to announce quite yet.

And I suspect there are a few people in the marketing department who will never look at the final question of a Ragin' Review interview quite the same way again.

But in the end, it all worked out.

Louisiana has a new mascot.

Ragin' Review gets to play a small role in helping introduce him to the community next year.

And somewhere, there's a seven-week-old Catahoula Leopard Dog who has absolutely no idea how many people are already arguing about his future on the internet.

Welcome to the family, little guy.

You're going to fit right in.

And to the university's marketing team?

Don't worry.

Next time Dr. Kolluru comes on the show, I'll try to give y'all a heads-up before asking the last question.

No promises, though.

C'est Tout!