What Is 1939 Tulane Green Wave football

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1939 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University during the 1939 college football season, finishing with a 5–5 record under head coach Bernie Bierman and playing in the Southern Conference.

Key Facts

The 1939 Tulane Green Wave finished the season with a 5–5 overall record
Head coach Bernie Bierman led the team for the first time in 1939
Tulane played in the Southern Conference before joining the SEC in 1932
The team played its home games at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans
Tulane defeated in-state rival LSU 19–7 during the 1939 season

Overview

The 1939 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University in New Orleans during the 1939 college football season. Competing in the Southern Conference, the team was led by first-year head coach Bernie Bierman, who took over after the departure of previous coach Red Dawson.

This season marked a transitional period for the program as Tulane adjusted to new leadership and faced a challenging schedule. The Green Wave finished with a balanced 5–5 overall record, including key conference matchups and a notable victory over LSU.

Season Record: The 1939 Tulane Green Wave finished with a 5–5 overall record, marking one of the more evenly matched seasons in the program’s history during that decade.
New Head Coach: Bernie Bierman, previously successful at Minnesota, began his tenure at Tulane in 1939 but only coached for one season before returning to the Midwest.
Conference Affiliation: Tulane was a member of the Southern Conference in 1939, having left the Southeastern Conference in 1932 due to scheduling and travel concerns.
Home Stadium: The Green Wave played all home games at Tulane Stadium, a 35,000-seat venue located on campus in Uptown New Orleans.
Key Victory: Tulane defeated LSU 19–7 in the annual rivalry game, a significant achievement given the in-state competition and regional pride at stake.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 1939 campaign featured a mix of wins against regional opponents and tough losses to stronger conference teams. Tulane opened the season with a win over Southwestern Louisiana but struggled against powerhouses like Mississippi State.

September 30: Tulane defeated Southwestern Louisiana 27–0 in the season opener, setting a strong tone with a dominant defensive performance.
October 7: The Green Wave lost 7–6 to Mississippi State, a close game that highlighted Tulane’s offensive inconsistencies early in the season.
October 21: A 13–6 win over Vanderbilt showcased improved offensive execution and marked Tulane’s first SEC conference win of the year.
November 4: Tulane defeated Loyola of New Orleans 20–0, demonstrating strength against in-state competition outside the conference.
November 11: The 19–7 victory over LSU was the highlight of the season, with the Green Wave defense forcing three turnovers to secure the win.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of Tulane’s 1939 season with the previous and following years to illustrate performance trends.

Season	Head Coach	Overall Record	Conference Record	Notable Result
1938	Red Dawson	6–4	3–2	Lost to Georgia in a non-conference game
1939	Bernie Bierman	5–5	3–3	Defeated LSU 19–7
1940	Hugh Bayne (interim)	4–5	2–3	Season shortened due to World War II preparations
1941	Henry Frnka	6–4	3–2	Won the Sugar Bowl against Mississippi State
1942	Henry Frnka	7–3	4–1	Ranked #13 nationally in final AP Poll

The 1939 season sits in the middle of a fluctuating period for Tulane football. While not as successful as the 1942 campaign, it laid groundwork for future improvements and maintained the program’s regional competitiveness.

Why It Matters

The 1939 season is a notable chapter in Tulane football history due to its coaching transition and performance during a pivotal era. Though not a championship year, it reflects the challenges of mid-tier college programs balancing athletic and academic priorities.

Coaching Instability: Bernie Bierman’s single season highlighted Tulane’s difficulty in retaining top coaching talent during the late 1930s.
Regional Rivalries: The win over LSU reinforced the importance of in-state matchups in building fan support and recruiting momentum.
Stadium Legacy: Tulane Stadium, used from 1926 to 1974, hosted many historic games, including this 1939 contest, and later became the first home of the NFL’s Saints.
Historical Context: The 1939 season occurred just before World War II, which would drastically impact college football rosters and scheduling in the early 1940s.
Program Development: The balanced record demonstrated the Green Wave’s ability to compete, setting the stage for stronger performances later in the 1940s.
SEC Legacy: Though no longer in the SEC, Tulane’s past conference membership underscores its historical significance in Southern college football.

While the 1939 Tulane Green Wave did not achieve national acclaim, the season remains a representative example of the program’s resilience and regional impact during a transformative period in college sports.