LSU denies rumors of potential boycott by New Orleans high schools

LSU and head coach Ed Orgeron introduced the program's two newest hires in running backs coach Tommie Robinson and wide receivers coach Mickey Joseph at a press conference Thursday, and Joseph assured fans that the school's relationships with New Orleans high school coaches is still strong.

Orgeron came under fire last week when he reassigned running backs coach and former New Orleans high school coach Jabbar Juluke within the athletic department. The demotion sparked rumors of a potential boycott of the program by high school coaches across the city, which Joseph was quick to dispel Thursday.

"I have a strong relationship with those coaches in New Orleans," Joseph, a New Orleans native, said after he met with local high school coaches earlier in the week. "I've been recruiting New Orleans since 1999.

"It was never a meeting where it was going to be discussed about a boycott. Those guys are in it for their kids. I don't know how that started and how it got out there, but it was never a meeting about that."

Joseph said the meeting centered on educating high school coaches on recruiting, and discussing ways to help high school players pay for and attend football camps.