What Is 2019 Tulane Green Wave football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 7–6 record under head coach Willie Fritz. They played their home games at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans and earned a berth in the First Responder Bowl, where they defeated the Southern Miss Golden Eagles 30–13.

Key Facts

The 2019 Tulane Green Wave finished the season with a 7–6 overall record
Head coach Willie Fritz led the team in his fourth season at Tulane
Tulane played home games at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana
The team won the First Responder Bowl on December 27, 2019, defeating Southern Miss 30–13
Quarterback Justin McMillan started most games, throwing for 1,676 yards and 12 touchdowns

Overview

The 2019 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing as a member of the American Athletic Conference (AAC), the team was led by head coach Willie Fritz in his fourth year at the helm. Playing their home games at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana, the Green Wave aimed to build on previous seasons' progress and achieve bowl eligibility for the second consecutive year.

The 2019 campaign saw Tulane navigate a challenging schedule within the American Athletic Conference while also facing several non-conference opponents. Despite some early struggles, the team remained resilient, culminating in a postseason appearance. Their performance reflected continued program growth under Fritz’s leadership and laid groundwork for future success in the AAC.

Record: The Green Wave finished the season with a 7–6 overall record, including a 5–3 mark in American Athletic Conference play.
Bowl Game: Tulane secured a spot in the First Responder Bowl on December 27, 2019, defeating the Southern Miss Golden Eagles 30–13 in Dallas, Texas.
Home Venue: All home games were played at Yulman Stadium, a 30,000-seat on-campus facility located in Uptown New Orleans.
Head Coach: Willie Fritz, in his fourth season, continued to rebuild the program with an emphasis on discipline, defense, and player development.
Key Player: Quarterback Justin McMillan threw for 1,676 yards and 12 touchdowns, leading the team in passing efficiency and total offense.

How It Works

The structure and operations of a college football team like the 2019 Tulane Green Wave involve coaching strategy, player development, and conference competition. Understanding key roles and systems helps explain how the team functioned on and off the field during the season.

Head Coach: Willie Fritz was responsible for overall team leadership, game planning, and player recruitment. His leadership style emphasized accountability and team culture.
Offensive Scheme: Tulane utilized a spread-based, up-tempo offense designed to maximize quarterback mobility and wide receiver production under coordinator Chip Long.
Defensive Strategy: The defense operated a 3-3-5 alignment, focusing on speed and versatility to counter AAC opponents' high-powered attacks.
Conference Play: As a member of the American Athletic Conference, Tulane faced teams like Memphis, Cincinnati, and UCF in a competitive divisional structure.
Recruiting: The 2019 class included 23 signees, with a focus on Louisiana-based talent and junior college transfers to fill immediate needs.
Bowl Eligibility: Teams must win at least six regular-season games to qualify for a bowl; Tulane achieved this with a Week 13 victory over UConn.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2019 Tulane Green Wave compared to key conference rivals in win-loss record, offensive output, and defensive performance:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points Scored	Bowl Result
Tulane	7–6	5–3	308	W, 30–13 vs. Southern Miss
Memphis	12–1	7–1	516	L, 37–42 vs. Penn State (Cotton Bowl)
Cincinnati	10–3	7–1	408	W, 38–6 vs. Virginia Tech (Athena)
UCF	9–4	6–2	450	W, 48–25 vs. Marshall (Gasparilla)
East Carolina	3–9	1–7	254	Did not qualify

The table highlights Tulane’s mid-tier standing within the AAC in 2019. While not matching the elite performance of Memphis or Cincinnati, the Green Wave outperformed lower-tier teams like East Carolina. Their balanced performance allowed them to secure a winning bowl record and maintain momentum into the next season.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was significant for Tulane as it reinforced the program’s upward trajectory under Willie Fritz. Achieving bowl eligibility for the second straight year demonstrated consistency and growing competitiveness in a tough conference.

Program Growth: Back-to-back bowl appearances signaled improvement from previous losing seasons and boosted recruiting visibility.
Stadium Atmosphere: Yulman Stadium continued to develop into a challenging venue for visiting teams, enhancing home-field advantage.
Player Development: Several underclassmen gained critical experience, setting the stage for future leadership roles.
Conference Perception: Competitive results against top AAC teams improved Tulane’s reputation within the league.
Community Engagement: The bowl win energized alumni and New Orleans fans, strengthening local support.
Recruiting Momentum: Success on the field translated into higher interest from four-star prospects in the 2020 class.

The 2019 season served as a building block for future success, proving Tulane could compete and win in high-pressure situations. It marked another step toward sustained relevance in college football’s Group of Five landscape.