What Is 2000 Tulane Green Wave football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2000 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University during the 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 5–6 record under head coach Chris Scelfo. They competed in Conference USA and played home games at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. The team failed to qualify for a bowl game for the second consecutive year.

Key Facts

The 2000 Tulane Green Wave finished with a 5–6 overall record and a 3–4 mark in Conference USA.
Head coach Chris Scelfo was in his third season leading the program.
The team played its home games at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.
Quarterback Stacy Johnson was the primary starter at QB during the season.
Tulane failed to qualify for a bowl game in 2000, marking the second straight season without postseason play.

Overview

The 2000 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University during the 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing in Conference USA, the team struggled to regain the momentum of its dominant late-1990s campaigns under previous head coach Tommy Bowden.

Under head coach Chris Scelfo, who was in his third year at the helm, the Green Wave posted a losing record and missed postseason play for the second consecutive season. The team faced challenges on both offense and defense, failing to replicate the success of the 1998 squad that went undefeated and played in the Liberty Bowl.

Record: The Green Wave finished the 2000 season with a 5–6 overall record and a 3–4 record in Conference USA play, marking a slight improvement from their 4–7 record in 1999.
Home Venue: Tulane continued to play its home games at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, a venue that hosted the team from 1975 through 2013.
Head Coach: Chris Scelfo entered his third season as head coach, aiming to stabilize the program after the departure of Tommy Bowden following the 1998 season.
Quarterback Play: Stacy Johnson started most games at quarterback, leading an offense that struggled to find consistency against stronger conference opponents.
Postseason: The team did not qualify for a bowl game in 2000, continuing a downturn after the 1998 season’s 12–0 record and bowl appearance.

How It Works

The 2000 season was a transitional year for Tulane football, as the program adjusted to life after its peak performance in 1998. Several factors influenced team performance, including coaching continuity, player development, and schedule difficulty.

Season Structure: The NCAA Division I-A season in 2000 consisted of a 12-game regular season; Tulane played 11 games, with no conference championship or bowl game appearance.
Conference USA: Tulane competed in Conference USA, which included teams like Cincinnati, Louisville, and Southern Miss, all of which posed significant challenges.
Offensive Output: The Green Wave averaged 20.3 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the conference in scoring offense.
Defensive Struggles: Tulane allowed an average of 27.1 points per game, indicating defensive vulnerabilities that contributed to close losses.
Roster Composition: The team relied heavily on underclassmen, with limited depth at key positions, particularly on the offensive line and secondary.
Recruiting Pipeline: Despite New Orleans’ rich football tradition, Tulane struggled to attract top-tier talent compared to larger programs in the SEC and Big 12.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2000 Tulane Green Wave to recent seasons highlights the program’s fluctuating performance during the early 2000s.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Game	Head Coach
1998	12–0	8–0 (C-USA)	Liberty Bowl (Lost to BYU)	Tommy Bowden
1999	4–7	3–4 (C-USA)	No bowl appearance	Chris Scelfo
2000	5–6	3–4 (C-USA)	No bowl appearance	Chris Scelfo
2001	6–5	4–3 (C-USA)	No bowl appearance	Chris Scelfo
2002	5–7	3–4 (C-USA)	No bowl appearance	Chris Scelfo

The table illustrates a clear decline from the historic 1998 season, with Tulane failing to reach a bowl game from 1999 to 2002. The 2000 season, while slightly better than 1999, still reflected ongoing struggles to maintain competitiveness in Conference USA.

Why It Matters

The 2000 season is significant as a case study in program sustainability after a peak performance. It underscores the challenges mid-major programs face in retaining talent, maintaining recruiting momentum, and achieving consistency.

Program Momentum: The 2000 season demonstrated how difficult it is to sustain success after a coaching change, especially when losing a high-profile coach like Tommy Bowden.
Recruiting Impact: Without a bowl appearance or national ranking, Tulane struggled to attract elite recruits, affecting long-term roster depth.
Stadium Use: Playing at the Superdome provided visibility but also logistical challenges compared to on-campus stadiums.
Conference Realignment: Conference USA underwent changes during this era, affecting scheduling and competitive balance for Tulane.
Player Development: Several players from the 2000 roster went on to professional careers, though none became NFL stars.
Historical Context: The 2000 season is remembered as part of a rebuilding phase before Tulane eventually returned to bowl eligibility in 2002.

While not a standout year, the 2000 Tulane Green Wave season remains a key chapter in the program’s modern history, illustrating the volatility of college football success and the importance of long-term planning.