Mississippi college coaches all in on change

When it comes to the Mississippi state flag being on the right side of history is a very divisive topic, but one place everyone seems to agree is in between the lines.

- when it comes to the mississipp- state flag... being on the- right side of history is a very- divisive topic.

- but one place everyone seems to- agree... is in between the- lines.- and today... leaders across the- board, from college - athletics... made sure their- voices... were the loudest in - the room.

- - 'it's time to see positive- change and- have that symbol of hatred- removed."

The confederate emblem becoming- so controversial, in- the wake of george floyd's- death... more than 50 athletic- directors and coaches, from the- state's eight public- universities... appearing at th- - - - mississippi legislature, to - lobby for its removal... from - the state flag.

- i know firsthand what it feels- like to see a confederate flag- and pretend it doesn't- have a racist, violent or - oppressive overtone.

It screams- hate, and it hurts me - to my core."

"i had a meeting with our team the other day, and i could tell- the hurtfulness in our- locker room, a confusion in our- locker room, because they want- change."

Among those demanding change...- mississippi state - running back kylin hill.- - - - the columbus, mississippi nativ- has played his entire football- career, in the magnolia state..- but the league's top returning- rusher says... either the flag- goes... or he goes.

- and first-year head coach mike- - - - leach... is in his corner.

"why do you have a state flag to - unify all the people in the - state if your flag doesn't do - that?

Change it.

Does your flag- bring business in the state or- does it keep- business out?

Okay, if it - doesn't bring it in, change it.- - - - does it draw athletes or people- to the state?

Or if it doesn't,- change it."

Recruitment and unification - aside... mississippi's- current flag also puts the "big 3" at a financial disadvantage.

- the southeastern conference was- the first to ban- all championship events, from - the state of mississippi... - until - the flag is changed.- - - - the n-c-double-a followed - suit... and so did conference - u-s-- a.- "the ruling by the sec and ncaa affects us greatly, and we can'- be an elite - program without hosting - postseason events."

For mississippi to be the - nation's only state un-able to- host n- - c-double-a baseball and softbal- regionals... as - well as first and second round- games of the n-c-double-a - women's basketball tournament..- - - - would be a big step backwards..- in what's supposed to be a- march...- for forward progress.

- "i have a daughter, ally.

She's 32 years old.

She has down- syndrome, and ally- keeps us simplified and grounde- all the time.

And we were havin- - - - this discussion at my house the- other night.

My wife and i and- we were talking about social- injustice - and talking about the flag- change.

And ally is sitting - there, and she just looks at us- and she says, dad, do unto- others as you would like for- - - - them to do to you.

I said boy,- that's simple.

But isn't that - perfect?

I said that's simple,- but it's perfect.

Whether - you're talking about a flag - change that's good for everybod- in our state, or we're- talking about any topic of- social injustice."

- - - - according to the clarion- ledger... a change will require- a two-- thirds vote from the- legislature... which is in- session until - friday.

- mississippi residents last vote- to keep the flag... back in -