Fritz has transformed Green Wave into winners

By Ed Daniels, Clarion Herald Sports

It was a tangible sign of progress, if there ever was one.

A long-time Tulane football fan, one who said he would no longer go to home games because of his mounting frustration, approached a reporter at a high school football game. He had his Tulane football polo on and promptly proclaimed the following: “Roll Wave!”

Now that’s progress.

Even the most cynical of a dwindling fan base are starting to believe that there is something to latch on to Uptown.

So, fast forward to a Thursday night at Yulman Stadium against Houston. The Cougars, who have owned the Green Wave, are doing it again on national TV. Houston scored on a long touchdown pass on the first play of the game.

By the end of the first quarter, the Cougars led in total yards, 215 to 42. At half, Houston had a 28-14 lead and had compiled 373 total yards to Tulane’s 161.

Then, came a Tulane surge and a Houston collapse. The Green Wave outscored the Cougars, 24-3, in the second half.

The winning touchdown pass was set up by a trick play. Tulane appeared to be kneeling with the ball to end regulation, when the ball was instead handed to Amare Jones, who scooted around the left side to get the Wave near midfield.

With three seconds remaining, receiver Jalen McCleskey squeezed through two defenders and reached the end zone with the game-winning TD pass from Justin McMillan.

On national TV, Houston was not only finished, they were out of gas.

It was fun to watch, and it was ironic. Eight years ago, at the Superdome, the Cougars routed Tulane, 73-17. Houston led 35-10 at the half and 59-10 at the end of three quarters.

Houston owned Tulane, not only in football but in hoops. In February, the Cougars humiliated the Green Wave, 85-50.

Seven months later, on national TV, a rivalry and a football program, changed.

Since he arrived, head coach Willie Fritz and his staff have made steady progress. First year: four wins. Second year: five. Third year: seven wins and the school’s first bowl win since 2002.

In August, Fritz noted that Tulane had six winning seasons in the last 37. He challenged his organization to be consistent winners. Tulane has won eight of its last 10 games.

Recruiting has improved. In 2017, Fritz’s first recruiting class was ranked 112th in the FBS. The 2020 class is currently rated 47th. It includes standout defensive lineman Angelo Anderson of John Curtis and quarterback Justin Ibieta of Country Day.

Fritz and his staff have turned two star recruits into stars. And, they have used transfers to dramatically upgrade talent.

When he arrived at Tulane, Fritz’s moniker was a coach who took downtrodden programs and transformed them into winners. He has again.

Ed Daniels is sports director of ABC26 WGNO. He can be reached at [email protected].