New Orleans has always been a "Saints town," and for decades, that was the end of the conversation. If you weren't wearing black and gold on Sundays, you probably weren't talking football at the local po-boy shop. But walk through the Uptown neighborhood lately and you'll see a massive shift. The "Angry Wave" logo is everywhere.
Honestly, it’s about time.
Tulane Green Wave football isn't just a Saturday afternoon distraction anymore. It’s a legitimate powerhouse that just navigated one of the most chaotic coaching transitions in recent memory without blinking. After Willie Fritz took his blueprint to Houston, many expected the floor to fall out. Instead, Jon Sumrall stepped in and basically proved that the culture in New Orleans is bigger than just one guy.
The Sumrall Era and the 2025 Surge
When Jon Sumrall took over, he didn't just inherit a roster; he inherited a standard. Most fans were nervous. You’ve seen it before: a "Group of Five" darling loses their legendary coach and immediately slides back into 4-8 obscurity.
That didn't happen.
The 2025 season was a masterclass in staying the course. Tulane went 11-3, which included a gritty 7-1 run in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). They didn't just participate; they dominated the league. They capped it off with a 34-21 victory over North Texas in the American Championship Game.
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- The Quarterback Factor: Jake Retzlaff wasn't just a game manager. He was a force. By the time the regular season ended, he had set the Tulane single-season record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.
- The CFP Milestone: For the first time in history, Tulane cracked the College Football Playoff. Sure, the 41-10 loss to Ole Miss in the first round stung, but think about that—Tulane in the Playoff. Ten years ago, that sounded like a fever dream.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Coaching Carousel
Here is where things get wild. Just as Tulane fans were getting comfortable with Sumrall, the SEC came calling. It’s the blessing and curse of being a "feeder" for the big programs. Sumrall headed to Florida, taking his top coordinators with him.
But Tulane had a plan. They didn't go out and hire a "name" from a failing Power 4 program. They went back to their roots.
Will Hall is the new man at the helm for 2026. If the name sounds familiar, it should. Hall was the offensive coordinator at Tulane back in 2019 and 2020. He knows the building. He knows the city. More importantly, he knows exactly how to keep the offensive fireworks going.
People think coaching changes always mean a rebuild. In this case, it feels more like a reload. Hall spent the 2025 season as the Passing Game Coordinator, so he’s already been in the room during this latest championship run.
Why the 2026 Roster Looks Different
The transfer portal is a beast, but the Green Wave is holding its own. While coaches like Joe Craddock and Greg Gasparato followed Sumrall to Gainesville, the core of the 2025 recruiting class stayed firm.
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We’re talking about guys like Joshua Lewis, a 6'4" edge rusher out of Dutchtown who enrolled early. Or Michael Igbinoghene, a speedy corner from Alabama. Tulane is no longer just "scrapping" for recruits; they are winning battles against lower-tier Power 4 schools for legitimate talent.
The "Big Three" SEC Titles Nobody Talks About
You want a stat that will win you any bar argument in New Orleans? Tulane has three SEC titles.
That's more than half of the current SEC.
They won the conference in 1934, 1939, and 1949. They were charter members of the Southeastern Conference before leaving in the 1960s to pursue "academic excellence" as an independent. For years, that move was seen as the death knell for the program. It turned them into a doormat.
But the 2022 Cotton Bowl win over USC changed the DNA of the school. It proved that you can be "Harvard South" and still punch Caleb Williams in the mouth.
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The Reality of Yulman Stadium
If you haven't been to a game at Yulman Stadium, you're missing out. It’s small—only 30,000 seats—but it’s built right into the heart of the campus. No more trekking out to the Superdome to play in a half-empty, cavernous NFL stadium.
The atmosphere is... weirdly perfect. It's a mix of collegiate intensity and New Orleans "Laissez les bons temps rouler." You’ve got a brass band in the stands and some of the best stadium food in the country.
Actionable Insights for the Modern Fan
If you're looking to jump on the bandwagon or just want to follow the team more closely in the Will Hall era, here is the roadmap:
- Watch the Defensive Transition: Tayler Polk is the new Defensive Coordinator. He was the co-DC under the previous regime. Watch how he handles the linebackers—that’s his specialty. If the defense stays aggressive, the "Angry Wave" remains a threat.
- Monitor the QB Room: With Retzlaff moving on, the battle between guys like Cade Scott and the incoming transfers will define the 2026 season. Hall loves a vertical passing game; expect more shots downfield.
- Check the Mid-Week Odds: Tulane has become a Vegas darling. They consistently cover as home favorites because Yulman is a legitimately tough place to play on a Friday or Saturday night.
- Support NIL through "Fear the Wave": If you want the program to stay relevant, the NIL collective is the lifeblood. It's how they keep guys like Shazz Preston from jumping to the SEC for a bigger bag.
The Tulane Green Wave football program is no longer a "Cinderella story." Cinderella's clock struck midnight and she went home. Tulane stayed at the party, took over the DJ booth, and is now inviting everyone to the after-party.
New Orleans is a football town, and for the first time in sixty years, that doesn't just mean the Saints.
Next Steps for the Green Wave Faithful
Keep an eye on the spring practice reports starting in March. The transition from Sumrall's defensive-heavy philosophy to Will Hall's "Soul Food" offense will be the biggest storyline of the offseason. If the chemistry clicks early, don't be surprised to see Tulane back in the Top 25 before September even begins.