​When Tulane joined the American Athletic Conference in 2014, the program endured a rough start: no winning seasons in its first four years, just two wins in the first eight, and as recent as 2021 a 2-10 record. Yet in the following four seasons it transformed into a Group of Five power, compiling 43 victories and earning a College Football Playoff appearance. It took current Houston head coach Willie Fritz six years to lay the foundation, and then new Florida head coach Jon Sumrall elevated the program further. Now Will Hall must demonstrate that Tulane’s success is sustainable, starting from the ground up.
In a snapshot of the 2025 season, Tulane faced the challenge of maintaining momentum under Hall, who arrived after assembling a solid culture at his previous stops. Hall’s résumé includes successful stints at West Alabama and three years at West Virginia, though his tenure at Southern Miss ended with a midseason firing in 2024. He inherits a program built by Fritz and Sumrall and must continue that momentum while rebuilding the starting lineup and instilling his own imprint from day one.
Head Coach: Will Hall (1st year in the current role; 11th year overall, 70-50 career record)
Best Case / Worst Case: Win another American Conference title / First losing season since 2021
Key Player: Kadin Semonza, QB, Jr. (or any of the other quarterback options)
2025 Record projection: 11-3
Biggest Question: How quickly can Hall assemble the right starting 22 after significant turnover?
Penalties and discipline data reveal room for improvement: Tulane totaled 96 penalties for 895 yards, while opponents committed 77 penalties for 680 yards. In terms of scoring, the Green Wave managed 143 points in the second quarter and 57 in the third, with onside kicks rarely going Tulane’s way (opponents 2-for-6, Tulane 0-for-1).
Offensive Coordinator Russ Callaway faces a near-scratching rebuild, particularly with the starting lineup. While Tulane brings in plenty of depth ready to contribute, there isn’t a settled depth chart, and the program isn’t flush with transfers to fill the gaps. The ground game, however, should remain a strength. The backfield operated in a rotation last year and should do so again, with Jamauri McClure returning after leading the position with 540 rushing yards at 6.5 yards per carry, and Florida State transfer Jaylin Lucas adding a notable dimension to the offense.
The offensive line returns a number of familiar faces, even if the starting five aren’t all back. Key returnees at interior spots include Reese Baker and Elijah Baker, which should help the line maintain continuity even as some starters depart. The receiving corps looks promising as well. Shazz Preston, Tulane’s leading receiver, has departed for Indiana, but Anthony Brown-Stephens comes back after finishing second on the team with 41 receptions, and Zycarl Lewis Jr. returns after making 24 catches. LSU transfer Destyn Hill adds to the depth and talent at wide receiver, providing multiple options for the passing game.
In the backfield, the quarterback situation isn’t in total flux, but it isn’t entirely settled either. Tulane must decide who will lead the offense with consistency, a decision that will shape how quickly Hall can implement his system and maximize the team’s potential. The program’s recent history offers a blueprint: a culture of resilience and a growing sense of identity that Hall will be tasked with preserving while imprinting his own approach. Whether Tulane can sustain success beyond the immediate aftermath of Fritz and Sumrall’s tenure depends on how effectively Hall can establish the right starting lineup, optimize the offense, and maintain the competitive edge that has become part of Tulane’s narrative in recent years.