What Is 1995 Tulane Green Wave football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1995 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University during the 1995 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 7–5 record under head coach Tommy Bowden. They played their home games at the Louisiana Superdome and earned a berth in the Liberty Bowl, where they lost to Virginia Tech 28–10.

Key Facts

The 1995 Tulane Green Wave finished the season with a 7–5 overall record
Head coach Tommy Bowden led the team in his second season at the helm
Tulane played home games at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans
The team competed as an independent in the 1995 season
They earned a Liberty Bowl appearance, losing 28–10 to Virginia Tech on December 30, 1995

Overview

The 1995 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University in the 1995 NCAA Division I-A football season, marking continued progress under head coach Tommy Bowden. It was the program's second year under Bowden, who was rebuilding the team after years of struggle in the early 1990s.

The Green Wave showed significant improvement from their 4–7 record in 1994, finishing the 1995 season with a 7–5 overall record. Despite not belonging to a conference, they secured a bowl invitation, reflecting the team's growing competitiveness on the national stage.

Record: The team finished the season with a 7–5 overall record, a marked improvement from previous years and a sign of progress under Bowden’s leadership.
Head Coach: Tommy Bowden, in his second year, led the team with a focus on offensive development and discipline, laying groundwork for future success.
Home Stadium: Tulane played its home games at the Louisiana Superdome, a major indoor venue in New Orleans that hosted NFL and college games.
Conference Status: The Green Wave competed as an independent in 1995, meaning they were not affiliated with any athletic conference for football.
Bowl Game: Tulane earned a bid to the Liberty Bowl on December 30, 1995, where they faced Virginia Tech in Memphis, Tennessee.

Season Performance & Bowl Appearance

The 1995 campaign featured a mix of competitive wins and tough losses, with the team showing resilience in non-conference matchups. Their bowl eligibility was secured by winning at least six games, a threshold that allowed independents like Tulane to receive postseason consideration.

Liberty Bowl: On December 30, 1995, Tulane faced the Virginia Tech Hokies in the Liberty Bowl, losing 28–10 in a game dominated by Tech’s defense.
Key Player: Quarterback Shaun King began to emerge as a leader, though he was still developing; he would later become a star in the 1998 season.
Notable Win: A 24–21 victory over Southern Miss was a highlight, showcasing Tulane’s ability to beat a strong Conference USA team.
Offensive Output: The team averaged 23.6 points per game, indicating modest offensive improvement under Bowden’s system.
Defensive Challenges: The defense struggled at times, giving up 27.1 points per game, which contributed to close losses against stronger opponents.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1995 season compares to surrounding years in Tulane football history:

Season	Record (Overall)	Head Coach	Bowl Game	Key Stat
1993	4–7	Tommy Bowden (1st year)	None	17.8 PPG scored
1994	4–7	Tommy Bowden	None	20.1 PPG scored
1995	7–5	Tommy Bowden	Liberty Bowl (L 28–10)	23.6 PPG scored
1996	7–4	Tommy Bowden	None	26.3 PPG scored
1997	7–4	Tommy Bowden	None	28.9 PPG scored

This table illustrates the upward trajectory of the program under Bowden. While the 1995 season didn’t end in a bowl win, it was pivotal in restoring credibility to Tulane football, setting the stage for even greater success in the late 1990s, including an undefeated 1998 season.

Why It Matters

The 1995 season was a turning point for Tulane football, symbolizing the revival of a once-dormant program. It demonstrated that consistent coaching and player development could yield tangible results, even outside a major conference.

Program Momentum: The 7–5 record and bowl appearance gave recruits and fans renewed confidence in the future of Green Wave football.
Coaching Foundation: Tommy Bowden’s leadership in 1995 laid the groundwork for the 12–0 season in 1998 under his successor, Chris Scelfo.
Independence Challenges: As an independent, Tulane had to schedule carefully and perform well to earn bowl consideration, which they achieved in 1995.
Player Development: The season helped develop future stars like Shaun King, who would lead the 1998 team to national prominence.
Historical Context: After decades of mediocrity, the 1995 season marked the beginning of a renaissance for Tulane football in the modern era.
Bowl Legacy: Though they lost, Tulane’s appearance in the Liberty Bowl was their first since 1980, ending a 15-year postseason drought.

The 1995 Tulane Green Wave may not have won a championship, but their season was a critical step in rebuilding a proud football tradition. Their performance helped restore national relevance to the program and paved the way for one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football history.