What Is 1936 Tulane Green Wave football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 9-1-1 1936 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University in the 1936 college football season, finishing ranked No. 8 nationally after winning the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship with a 5-0 conference record.

Key Facts

The 1936 Tulane Green Wave finished the season with a 9-1-1 record
They won the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship in 1936
Head coach Red Dawson led the team to its first and only SEC title
Tulane defeated LSU 14-0 in a key rivalry game during the 1936 season
The team was ranked No. 8 in the final AP Poll of the 1936 season

Overview

The 1936 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University during the 1936 college football season, marking one of the most successful campaigns in program history. Coached by Red Dawson, the team achieved national recognition and secured its first and only Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship.

With a final record of 9-1-1, the Green Wave finished ranked No. 8 in the final Associated Press Poll, a significant achievement for a program still establishing itself nationally. Their dominant performance in SEC play, highlighted by a perfect 5-0 conference record, underscored their strength and consistency.

Red Dawson served as head coach, leading Tulane to its first and only SEC title in program history.
The team played its home games at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana, a venue that later hosted Super Bowls.
Tulane’s only loss came against SMU in a 20-13 defeat, ending their national title hopes early in the season.
Their tie was against Temple University, finishing 7-7 in a hard-fought defensive battle.
The Green Wave defeated in-state rival LSU 14-0, a key victory that boosted their national ranking and conference standing.

Season Performance

The 1936 season showcased Tulane’s balanced offense and disciplined defense, which held opponents to under 7 points per game in conference play. Their schedule included several regional powerhouses, testing their resilience and depth.

September 26: Defeated Mississippi College 47-0, showcasing offensive firepower in the season opener.
October 3: Beat Centenary 27-0, continuing their strong defensive start.
October 10: Lost to SMU 20-13, the team’s only defeat of the season.
October 24: Tied Temple 7-7, a rare stalemate in an otherwise dominant run.
November 14: Defeated LSU 14-0, securing a key rivalry win and boosting SEC standings.
November 28: Beat Rice 20-7 in Houston, clinching the outright SEC championship.
January 1, 1937: Lost to Temple 14-13 in the Sugar Bowl, narrowly missing a perfect postseason finish.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is how the 1936 Tulane Green Wave compared to other top teams in the nation based on record, ranking, and key results:

Team	Record	Conference	Final AP Rank	Key Result
Tulane Green Wave	9-1-1	SEC Champion	8	Lost Sugar Bowl 14-13
Minnesota	7-1	Big Ten	1	Won national title
TCU	12-1	Southwest	3	Won Sugar Bowl
LSU	7-2-1	SEC	17	Lost to Tulane 14-0
SMU	9-1-1	SWC	10	Beat Tulane 20-13

This comparison highlights Tulane’s elite status in 1936, finishing ahead of traditional powers despite a narrow Sugar Bowl loss. Their SEC championship and top-10 ranking remain unmatched in program history.

Why It Matters

The 1936 season remains a landmark year for Tulane football, symbolizing the program’s peak during the early era of college football. Its success helped elevate the university’s national profile and laid the foundation for future growth.

First SEC title: Tulane’s only conference championship in football history came in 1936, a milestone still celebrated.
National ranking: Finishing No. 8 in the AP Poll placed Tulane among the nation’s elite programs that year.
Sugar Bowl legacy: The team’s appearance in the 1937 Sugar Bowl helped solidify the bowl’s growing prestige.
Historic rivalry win: The 14-0 shutout of LSU remains one of the most memorable victories in the series.
Coaching legacy: Red Dawson’s leadership in 1936 is still regarded as the high point of his tenure at Tulane.
Program benchmark: No Tulane team has matched or surpassed the 1936 squad’s win total or national finish since.

The 1936 Tulane Green Wave football team remains a symbol of excellence in the program’s history, representing a golden era of Southern football and a standard yet to be matched.