Tulane: a football coaching history

National Program III#63 of 138–

See Tulane’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
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Program GOAT

Red Dawson

Peaked at Power Program II

Built by

Willie Fritz

Regional Program V → National Program III (+19.2)

The fall

Tommy O'Boyle

Regional Program I → Regional Program IV (−11.0)

Right now

Will Hall

in year 1 — too new to place in Tulane's history

Every coach

Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.

2026–now

Will Hall Short tenure

No outlier style signal this stint

4-4

2024–2025

Jon Sumrall Short tenure

No outlier style signal this stint

20-8

2023

Slade Nagle Short tenure

No outlier style signal this stint

0-1

2016–2023

Willie Fritz Builder ◆ COY

Willie Fritz raised Tulane from Regional Program V to National Program III.

2022 offense ranked in the 97th percentile nationally — elite

+19.2 pts over 8 seasons · top 5% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Bobby Petrino’s Louisville run (2003–2006, 2014–2018)

5th-best Tulane tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Curtis Johnson (2012–2015) · succeeded by Jon Sumrall (2024–2025).

System Shift, on arrival

System Shift, on departure

Season	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Record & result
Record	4-8	5-7	7-6	7-6	6-6	2-10	12-2	11-2
Postseason	—	—	W bowl	W bowl	L bowl	—	W bowl	—
Recruiting rank	#97	#112	#68	#94	#66	#77	#74	#71
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	30.4	29.5	33.3	35.4	37.8	45.7	40.5	41.1
Coordinators
OC	Doug Ruse	Doug Ruse	Doug Ruse	Will Hall	Will Hall	Chip Long	Jim Svoboda	Slade Nagle
DC	Jack Curtis	Jack Curtis	Jack Curtis	Jack Curtis	Jack Curtis	Chris Hampton	Chris Hampton	Shiel Wood
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	12	61	33	76	63	46	97	47
Defense	76	21	71	57	56	64	33	57
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	28.3	28.7	32.3	32.9	35.8	52.9	44.1	41.4
Red-zone pass%	19.5	21.6	15.6	31.6	32.0	46.2	40.5	34.8
4th-down go%opp. territory	37.2	41.9	46.3	48.0	45.7	58.3	36.4	50.0

Recruiter or developer?

Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.

Offense vs. talent

+8.7 pts

#67 of 208 · middle half

Defense vs. talent

+8.1 pts

#66 of 208 · middle half

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

Barely touches the portal — recruits and develops his own.

Portal arrivals

3.0★ avg rating

Portal departures

left via the portal

Net portal flow

-11

#150 of 187 FBS stints

Who they bring in

Brings in smaller-than-position-typical players than most.

Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.

Avg. size (raw)

6′1″, 224 lbs

across 15 of 21 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

-0.8 lbs

#240 of 255 · bottom quarter

Avg. class year

#1 of 255 · top quarter

Top states: LA (8), FL (2), GA (1), TX (1), CA (1)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

45.1

position-weighted

Talent lost

52.7

position-weighted

Net

-7.7

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Kameron Pedescleaux (CB) from Louisiana

Biggest loss: Keon Howard (QB) to the portal

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Doug Ruse → Will Hall · 2019The offense improved

2-season window either side.

1st-down pass rate: 30.5% → 34.3% (+3.8 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 61% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Will Hall → Chip Long · 2021

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 35.8% → 52.9% (+17.2 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 61% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Chip Long → Jim Svoboda · 2022

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 52.9% → 44.1% (-8.9 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 86% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

DC: Jack Curtis → Chris Hampton · 2021The system held

2-season window either side.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Quarterback

220 lbs

6′3″ avg · #176 of 767 · top quarter

Running back

205 lbs

5′10″ avg · #468 of 791 · middle half

Wide receiver

185 lbs

6′0″ avg · #693 of 791 · bottom quarter

Tight end

238 lbs

6′3″ avg · #596 of 731 · bottom quarter

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

304 lbs

6′5″ avg · #603 of 779 · bottom quarter

D-line

286 lbs

6′3″ avg · #329 of 753 · middle half

Linebacker

228 lbs

6′2″ avg · #396 of 772 · middle half

Cornerback

186 lbs

6′0″ avg · #571 of 771 · middle half

Safety

195 lbs

6′1″ avg · #224 of 346 · middle half

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Linebacker from high school

80%

#170 of 225 stints

Grows Running back from high school

82%

#186 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2018: Beat Louisiana 41-24 Autonation Cure Bowl2019: Beat Southern Miss 30-13 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl2020: Lost to Nevada 27-38 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl2022: Beat USC 46-45 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

12 NFL Draft picks: Tanzel Smart (2017), Parry Nickerson (2018), Ade Aruna (2018), Donnie Lewis Jr. (2019), Darnell Mooney (2020), Thakarius Keyes (2020), Cameron Sample (2021), Patrick Johnson (2021) + 4 more

Coach of the Year: AAC Coach of the Year (2022), AAC Coach of the Year (2023)

+19.2

54-47

2012–2015

Curtis Johnson Steady

Curtis Johnson held Tulane at Regional Program V for 4 seasons.

Swung 18.7 points of pass rate — #45 of 449 FBS coaching stints since 2004

+1.7 pts over 4 seasons · top 25% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Bill O'Brien’s Boston College run (2024–now)

16th-best Tulane tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Bob Toledo (2007–2011) · succeeded by Willie Fritz (2016–2023).

System Shift, on departure

Season	2012	2013	2014	2015
Record & result
Record	2-10	7-6	3-9	3-9
Postseason	—	L bowl	—	—
Recruiting rank	#83	#83	#90	#91
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	65.7	47.0	51.4	50.4
Coordinators
OC	—	—	Eric Price	Eric Price
DC	—	—	Jon Sumrall / Lionel Washington	Jason Rollins / Lionel Washington
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	28	15	7	10
Defense	58	84	75	29
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	62.2	36.9	38.0	39.3
Red-zone pass%	57.1	35.3	46.7	34.9
4th-down go%opp. territory	17.4	20.6	35.9	19.0

Recruiter or developer?

Underperforms his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.

Offense vs. talent

-35.9 pts

#207 of 208 · bottom quarter

Defense vs. talent

-17.7 pts

#172 of 208 · bottom quarter

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

DC: Jon Sumrall (co) / Lionel Washington (co) → Jason Rollins (co) / Lionel Washington (co) · 2015

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Edge from high school

100%

#191 of 208 stints

Grows Tackle from high school

100%

#198 of 223 stints

Postseason detail2013: Lost to Louisiana 21-24 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

3 NFL Draft picks: Ryan Grant (2014), Lorenzo Doss (2015), Taurean Nixon (2015)

+1.7

15-34

2011

Mark Hutson Short tenure

No outlier style signal this stint

0-6

2007–2011

Bob Toledo Steady

Bob Toledo slid the Green Wave from Regional Program IV to Regional Program V in 5 seasons.

2008 defense ranked in the 1th percentile nationally — historically bad

−7.7 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 22% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Jeff Lebby’s Mississippi State run (2024–now)

14th-best Tulane tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Chris Scelfo (1999–2006) · succeeded by Mark Hutson (2011).

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Record & result
Record	4-8	2-10	3-9	4-8	2-5
Postseason	—	—	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	#102	#102	#79	#90	#81
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	42.4	50.6	48.6	51.7	51.8
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	16	19	41	17	17
Defense	11	1	23	47	30
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	36.0	44.0	37.9	42.7	46.8
Red-zone pass%	24.2	30.2	27.1	41.3	33.8
4th-down go%opp. territory	22.6	35.9	20.8	22.9	31.2

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Kicker from high school

100%

#52 of 56 stints

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

2 NFL Draft picks: Matt Forte (2008), Troy Kropog (2009)

−7.7

15-40

1999–2006

Chris Scelfo Steady

Chris Scelfo slid the Green Wave from Regional Program II to Regional Program IV in 8 seasons.

No outlier style signal this stint

−4.1 pts over 8 seasons · bottom 26% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Paul Chryst’s Wisconsin run (2015–2022)

11th-best Tulane tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Tommy Bowden (1997–1998) · succeeded by Bob Toledo (2007–2011).

System Shift, on departure

Season	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Record & result
Record	3-8	6-5	3-9	8-5	5-7	5-6	2-9	4-8
Postseason	—	—	—	W bowl	—	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—	#62	#93	#84
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—	47.3	55.4	55.5
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—	47	7	63
Defense	—	—	—	—	—	21	46	27
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—	27.3	51.1	54.9
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	56.4	53.8
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—	—	47.6	21.4

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Edge from high school

100%

#191 of 208 stints

Grows Running back from high school

100%

#196 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2002: Beat Hawai'i 36-28 Bowl

7 NFL Draft picks: JaJuan Dawson (2000), Bernard Robertson (2001), Patrick Ramsey (2002), J.P. Losman (2004), Mewelde Moore (2004), Roydell Williams (2005), Anthony Cannon (2006)

−4.1

36-57

1997–1998

Tommy Bowden Short tenure

18-4

1992–1996

Buddy Teevens Steady

Buddy Teevens slid Tulane from Regional Program III to Regional Program IV in 5 seasons.

−8.3 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 19% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Dennis Franchione’s Texas A&M run (2003–2007)

15th-best Tulane tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Greg Davis (1988–1991) · succeeded by Tommy Bowden (1997–1998).

2 NFL Draft picks: Ruffin Hamilton (1994), Jerald Sowell (1997)

−8.3

10-46

1988–1991

Greg Davis Steady

Greg Davis slid Tulane from Regional Program II to Regional Program III in 4 seasons.

−4.2 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 41% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Lovie Smith’s Illinois run (2016–2020)

13th-best Tulane tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Mack Brown (1985–1987) · succeeded by Buddy Teevens (1992–1996).

2 NFL Draft picks: Terrence Jones (1989), Mike Riley (1991)

−4.2

14-31

1985–1987

Mack Brown Steady

Mack Brown slid the Green Wave from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 3 seasons.

−4.2 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 41% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Lovie Smith’s Illinois run (2016–2020)

10th-best Tulane tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Wally English (1983–1984) · succeeded by Greg Davis (1988–1991).

Season	1985	1986	1987
Record & result
Record	1-10	4-7	6-6
Postseason	—	—	L bowl
Recruiting rank	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—

Postseason detail1987: Lost to Washington 12-24 Bowl

2 NFL Draft picks: Burnell Dent (1986), Eric Thomas (1987)

−4.2

11-23

1983–1984

Wally English Short tenure

7-15

1980–1982

Vince Gibson Steady

Vince Gibson moved Tulane from Regional Program I to National Program III in 3 seasons.

+2.9 pts over 3 seasons · top 20% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Jeff Tisdel’s Nevada run (1996–1999)

6th-best Tulane tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Larry Smith (1976–1979) · succeeded by Wally English (1983–1984).

Season	1980	1981	1982
Record & result
Record	7-5	6-5	4-7
Postseason	L bowl	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—

Postseason detail1980: Lost to Arkansas 15-34 Bowl

4 NFL Draft picks: Rodney Holman (1982), Marvin Lewis (1982), Jeff Roberts (1982), Lionel Washington (1983)

+2.9

17-17

1976–1979

Larry Smith Steady

Larry Smith held Tulane at Regional Program I for 4 seasons.

−3.2 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 47% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Hal Mumme’s New Mexico State run (2005–2008)

8th-best Tulane tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Bennie Ellender (1971–1975) · succeeded by Vince Gibson (1980–1982).

Season	1976	1977	1978	1979
Record & result
Record	2-9	3-8	4-7	9-3
Postseason	—	—	—	L bowl
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1979: Lost to Penn State 6-9 Bowl

3 NFL Draft picks: Martin Mitchell (1977), Eric Laakso (1978), Eddie Murray (1980)

−3.2

18-27

1971–1975

Bennie Ellender Steady

Bennie Ellender moved the Green Wave from Regional Program III to Regional Program I in 5 seasons.

+5.0 pts over 5 seasons · top 14% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Rick Rasnick’s Eastern Michigan run (1995–1999)

7th-best Tulane tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Jim Pittman (1966–1970) · succeeded by Larry Smith (1976–1979).

Season	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975
Record & result
Record	3-8	6-5	9-3	5-6	4-7
Postseason	—	—	L bowl	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1973: Lost to Houston 7-47 Bowl

2 NFL Draft picks: Joe Bullard (1972), Charles Hall (1975)

+5.0

27-29

1966–1970

Jim Pittman Steady

Jim Pittman moved Tulane from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 5 seasons.

+2.9 pts over 5 seasons · top 20% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Jeff Tisdel’s Nevada run (1996–1999)

12th-best Tulane tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Tommy O'Boyle (1962–1965) · succeeded by Bennie Ellender (1971–1975).

Season	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970
Record & result
Record	5-4-1	3-7	2-8	3-7	8-4
Postseason	—	—	—	—	W bowl
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1970: Beat Colorado 17-3 Bowl

3 NFL Draft picks: Peter Johns (1967), Bob Duhon (1968), Warren Bankston (1969)

+2.9

21-30-1

1962–1965

Tommy O'Boyle Steady

Tommy O'Boyle slid Tulane from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 4 seasons.

−11.0 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 9% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Steve Fairchild’s Colorado State run (2008–2011)

9th-best Tulane tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Andy Pilney (1954–1961) · succeeded by Jim Pittman (1966–1970).

−11.0

6-33-1

1954–1961

Andy Pilney Steady

Andy Pilney slid Tulane from National Program II to Regional Program I in 8 seasons.

−9.8 pts over 8 seasons · bottom 6% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Bill Curry’s Kentucky run (1990–1996)

4th-best Tulane tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Raymond Wolf (1952–1953) · succeeded by Tommy O'Boyle (1962–1965).

−9.8

25-49-6

1952–1953

Raymond Wolf Short tenure

6-13-1

1946–1951

Henry Frnka Steady

Henry Frnka held Tulane at Power Program III for 6 seasons.

+1.3 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 45% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Joe Glenn’s Wyoming run (2003–2008)

3rd-best Tulane tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Claude Simons (1942–1945) · succeeded by Raymond Wolf (1952–1953).

+1.3

31-23-4

1942–1945

Claude Simons Steady

Claude Simons slid Tulane from Power Program II to Power Program III in 4 seasons.

−8.9 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 17% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Todd Berry’s Army run (2000–2003)

2nd-best Tulane tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Red Dawson (1936–1941) · succeeded by Henry Frnka (1946–1951).

−8.9

13-17-1

1936–1941

Red Dawson Steady

Red Dawson held Tulane at Power Program II for 6 seasons.

1st-best Tulane tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Succeeded by Claude Simons (1942–1945).

Power Program II

36-19-4

Stature and coaches, 1936–2026

Every coach