NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana High School Athletics Association honored former NBA guard Randy Livingston in April 2023 by inducting him into the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame. Eight months later, the LHSAA punished the Isidore Newman School boys basketball coach by placing him on suspension for a calendar year for alleged recruiting violations while also stripping away two state titles.
And in the latest chapter with the LHSAA, Livingston and No. 1 Newman won their third-straight Division III Select championship on Friday with a 59-46 win against No. 3 University Lab (Baton Rouge) in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
“Proud of this team for sticking together, they persevere and followed the script,” Livingston told Andscape after Friday’s championship. “I was emotional at the end for the seniors and all the players. To get one with my son is a special moment in my life. What’s supposed to happen happened …
“Winning three in a row on any level is hard. No matter what happens moving forward, we settled everything on the court.”
While Livingston is far from the first coach sanctioned by LHSAA since its formation in 1920, this spotlight on his suspension news was bright since he is arguably the greatest high school basketball player in Louisiana history and a former Louisiana State University and NBA guard.
In his high school career, Livingston led Newman to a 114-15 record and state championships in 1991, 1992 and 1993 alongside standout quarterback Peyton Manning, who went on to become a two-time Super Bowl champion. The New Orleans native scored 3,429 points in his career at Newman for an average of 26.6 points. The 1993 McDonald’s All American was once featured on ABC Primetime and was viewed as a budding superstar. Livingston also shared Naismith Prep Player of the Year honors with Jason Kidd in 1992 and Rasheed Wallace in 1993 and was a two-time Parade Magazine Player of the Year.
The former LSU star’s two-year college career was severely hampered by knee injuries that carried on to the NBA. The 11-year NBA veteran averaged 3.8 points and 2.0 assists primarily as a reserve playing for nine teams. He also played in the Continental Basketball Association, the NBA D-League and in Turkey.
“I met Randy when he was 10 years old playing AAU Spartans in New Orleans,” said former NBA guard Robert Pack, who starred at Alfred Lawless High School in New Orleans. “I was playing on the older team. We were beating teams big in a national tournament and we would put Randy in at the end of games and he would hold his own against 15- and 16-year-olds. He had a target on his back since he was 10 years old.
“He was always that guy, but always exceeded expectations. He never folded under the intense amount of pressure and went on to win three state championships.”
After an assistant coaching stint at LSU, Livingston returned to Newman and eventually became the varsity boys basketball coach in March 2019.
Derick Hingle
While Newman has long been a predominantly white school under Livingston, the Greenies have become a predominantly Black basketball team. Livingston said he was the only Black member of his Newman teams. Now he is on a “mission” to help African American boys get the quality education and environment that Newman offers.
Six of Livingston’s players have received full college basketball scholarships during his tenure, including senior forward Todd Jones who has committed to the University of Portland. Livingston’s son R.J., is a sophomore guard contemplating offers from LSU and other Power 5 schools. Tayden Langdon, son of New Orleans Pelicans general manager Trajan Langdon; Chris Vinson, son of Pelicans assistant coach Fred Vinson; and Sebastian Thrower, son of McDonald’s franchise owner/operator Jamar Thrower, are on the team.
“Newman is mostly white,” said Livingston, who grew up in the Calliope Housing Complex in New Orleans. “There are people wondering how the hell these Black kids get to go to Newman and [are] being successful on and off the court. Something must be going on. But the crazy thing with that is six of the players on the team are paying full tuition … These are affluent Black families, but they can’t figure that out. They’re like, ‘Something must be going on? These Black kids are going to Newman. They’re graduating. They’re winning. What’s up? We got to figure out what’s going on there.’
“Nothing is going on. But we are in Louisiana, the South, where they got to figure out a way to put an end to that. Newman, I’m one of theirs. I graduated, but that was 30 years ago. I was the only Black player on the whole team. I was the only Black player in my class. Now the whole team is Black.”
R.J. Livingston, who had 14 points and nine assists in Friday’s championship, transferred to Newman for his sophomore year from a high school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to be coached by his father and be a part of the school’s legacy.
“I’m proud that my dad has been able to coach multiple teams at his alma mater and was able to win two championships within the last five years,” R.J. Livingston told Andscape via text before Friday’s game. “He has been able to help kids accomplish their dreams and move onto the next stage in their career: College basketball.”
But on Dec. 14, 2023, Randy Livingston’s coaching reputation and basketball career was tarnished when the LHSAA shocked Newman with an e-mail minutes before its offices closed for winter break. The e-mail said Newman was ruled ineligible for the 2023-24 state playoffs and Livingston was suspended for one calendar year from Dec. 14, 2023, for a recruiting rule violation. The LHSAA, however, did not offer details.
The LHSAA stated that Newman had to forfeit its last three seasons of games, including Division III Select championships in 2022 and 2023. Newman was also placed on restrictive probation but was allowed to complete its regular-season schedule.
“I was shocked. Mad,” Livingston said. “I was like, ‘What happened?’ The sad thing about it was after the head of the school and the [athletic director] told me about the e-mail, I said, ‘I’m going to go talk to the team.’ They said, ‘You can’t talk to the team.’ I just had to take it and go home.
“My son is on the team. I couldn’t do nothing. Couldn’t go talk to them. After I left there, I didn’t even go back to the office. I went straight home and talked to my wife.”
Said Randy Livingston’s wife and basketball agent Anita Smith: “It’s a bogus ruling and he never [illegally] recruited. So, of course, we are going to fight this. We believe in standing up for what is right no matter what the consequences are.”
Derick Hingle
The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported in December 2023 that Newman athletic director Patrick Summerour, who didn’t respond to Andscape’s request for an interview, planned to appeal the ruling. Newman officials eventually told the players about the ruling during a practice and the school at-large via e-mail. Soon after, the news made it to the media in New Orleans and throughout the state.
Newman continued to play under the guidance of interim coach Juan Lumas. R.J. Livingston said the Newman players were stunned by it all.
“The suspension was a bit of a surprise and left the team feeling uncertain since we didn’t know if my dad was going to be able to keep coaching,” R.J. Livingston said. “Even though we were all anxious about the possible outcome, the team tried to keep their spirits up and do what we could to perform well together in his absence. It was great news that my dad was able to continue coaching, as I feel like the team and myself continue to learn so much from him.”
Livingston filed a lawsuit against the LHSAA in Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Dec. 28, 2023, seeking to hold the organization compliant with the fundamental principles of due process provided by law. On. Dec. 29, 2023, an Orleans Parish Civil District Court judge issued a temporary restraining order against the LHSAA, allowing Livingston to return to coaching until a court hearing on Jan. 18.
On Jan. 18, Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Monique Barial issued a preliminary injunction ruling in Livingston’s favor and allowing him to coach. That decision also determined that Newman didn’t have to forfeit any games or state titles until another hearing is scheduled.
Livingston said that several coaches have asked him how he had the strength to fight against the LHSAA.
“I don’t know why they would ever think I wasn’t going to fight back and contest this. It’s not only my livelihood, this is my future.”
— Randy Livingston
“You should always stand up for what you believe in, especially when you know you’re right,” Livingston said. “And then sometimes, God has chosen you to be the bearer of what’s happening and then to be able to come out on the other side. The thing that bothered me is all they had to do was do a little real investigation and just really realize that I was going to fight no matter what. That has been my M.O. through knee surgeries and everything.
“I don’t know why they would ever think I wasn’t going to fight back and contest this. It’s not only my livelihood, this is my future. If I want to coach in college or whatever I want to do, my whole future is on the line. I’m just going to let y’all just say this and run? That doesn’t make sense. And for them to think I wasn’t going to fight was just weird to me. But nobody ever fights enough. So, I guess I’m that person.”
During Livingston’s hearing Jan. 18, it was revealed that the LHSAA didn’t adhere to its own bylaws that a school’s principal must be given advance notice of any potential sanctions toward a program and coach and also be given the opportunity to appeal. LHSAA rule 2.1.3 states that “the principal shall be required to appear before the executive committee and the executive director to answer allegations against his or her school.” The LHSAA also acknowledged during the hearing that it does not allow coaches any right for due process, but rule 5.7.1. states that “a member school, athletic director and/or coach, who is party to a suit against the Association shall be held liable to legal fees, attorney’s expenses and court costs if the final decision that the case is in favor of LHSAA.”
“Due to ongoing litigation, the LHSAA does not have a comment at this time,” LHSAA director of communications Vincent Cacioppo told Andscape via e-mail about Livingston.
There is no set date for the next hearing. He is undecided if he will file a defamation of character lawsuit against the LHSAA. There is also no coaches union for high school basketball coaches in Louisiana.
Livingston hopes that perhaps his situation can help high school basketball coaches get more rights and a stronger voice when facing penalties. Johnson also believes that the LHSAA should change its bylaws to allow coaches to have a voice to appeal when sanctioned.
“The coaches do need a coaches association,” Livingston said. “The kids need an association to protect them when things like this come up. There is no such thing, but one should be started. I bet every coach from the 427 [Louisiana] schools would pay money to know that they got protection. That is what it boils down to.”
Said Livingston’s lawyer Adam Johnson: “Randy’s just not the type to lie down and take it. That’s not an option. And it shouldn’t have to be an option for coaches who have experienced the same thing.”
“To take away two state championships, and over 100 wins — these are records he and his players fought hard to earn. This could also affect future coaching opportunities. And to do all this without even giving him an opportunity to confront what you say that he’s done wrong and give him an opportunity to defend himself, that’s ridiculous. That’s what due process means: the right to stand up and defend yourself when you are accused. They tried to rob him of that, and it’s not a surprise to anyone that knows him that he didn’t allow that to happen. Thankfully, the courts have agreed with us so far.”
Livingston has overcome a major knee injury that derailed superstardom in his career. He has also overcome a major gambling addiction that he has been in recovery from since 2017. His suspension from the LHSAA is the next hurdle he plans to jump over.
And through the course of this season, Livingston believes his players have learned a valuable lesson.
“Sometimes, things are unfortunately going to happen that are out of your control,” Livingston said. “It’s like my popular words, you still got to live on. You can’t let it deter you where it breaks you. It’s just a question of fighting through stuff and knowing you are going to better on the other side. The kids are getting that right now. They understand the moment. We have full buy-in now. It’s hard to have full buy-in when you go through turmoil or adversity.
“That was probably the biggest adversity they have ever faced. I think a lot was going through a 15-year-old kid’s mind. ‘Is coach going to be all right? Are we ever going to play again?’ All that stuff affects kids. We talk a lot of mental health with the kids. If it’s truly about the kids, it’s a good lesson for them to learn.”
