Coaching legend Mike McConathy poised to run for key North Louisiana Senate seat

Greg Hilburn, Shreveport Times
·2 min read

College basketball coaching legend Mike McConathy is poised to run for a key northern Louisiana state Senate seat in 2023, already running a soft campaign after having secured longtime political consultant Roy Fletcher.

McConathy, 66, a Republican who lives in Natchitoches, confirmed he will be a likely candidate for the newly-configured, sprawling 10-parish District 31 seat that touches much of northwestern and central Louisiana.

"I'm already working and talking with people and traveling across the district to get a feel for the reception of my potential campaign," McConathy said in an interview with USA Today Network.

McConathy is Louisiana's all-time winningest college coach with 682 victories in 39 seasons, the first 16 years with Bossier Parish Community College and the last 23 with Northwestern State University, where he retired last spring after leading the Demons to three NCAA Tournament appearances.

"I have a concern and a compassion for people," McConathy said. "I recently read something about serving, and I believe in the impact of service through leadership.

"When you're geared that way you're always seeking opportunities where you can elevate your service, and I think that's possible with this office when I make a final commitment to run."

State Rep. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport, has already said he is running for the seat, which is open after current Republican Sen. Louie Bernard of Natchitoches said he won't seek reelection.

Dec 3, 2020; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Northwestern State Demons head coach Mike McConathy reacts during the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2020; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Northwestern State Demons head coach Mike McConathy reacts during the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Seabaugh has served in the House since 2010 but is term limited.

McConathy, who was also an All-American player at Louisiana Tech University in the 1970s, said his roots run deep throughout the district.

"I'm confident that I have a really good perspective of the district, its people and their needs," he said.

The new District 31 boundaries include parts of 10 parishes, but 70% of the population is located in Bossier, Caddo, Natchitoches and Sabine parishes. Bienville, DeSoto, Rapides, Red River, Webster and Winn are the other parishes within the district.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Coaching legend Mike McConathy set to run for key Louisiana Senate seat