A Reunion For Tulane Coach Curtis Johnson and the Saints?

Zack Langelar, Craig Suits and Kolton Schindelar ignited a late rally to lead Tulsa past Tulane 45-34 Friday night. His best record was a 7-6 2013 campaign that ended in a loss at the New Orleans Bowl.

The next head coach of the Green Wave needs only continue those established relationships in what Johnson called at his introductory press conference almost four years ago the “State of Tulane” – a nod to his former employer, the University of Miami, which built a wall around south Florida to create the “State of Miami” beginning with the Howard Schnellenberger regime. “Since then, however, the program has not progressed to the level that we aspire to”, Dickson said.

Prior to Tulane, Johnson was the wide receivers coach for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints for six seasons.

It was Johnson and his staff that re-opened the doors of local recruiting.

Since joining the American Athletic Conference in 2014, Tulane had a 3-13 record in the conference.

WWL First News reported on Wednesday that Tulane appeared set to part ways with Johnson following Friday’s game against Tulsa.

A source has told ESPN that Johnson has been fired. Tulane was plagued by bad snaps, missed kicks, blocked kicks and poor returns, putting even more pressure on the beleaguered offense.

Johnson’s firing isn’t a surprise, as it has been a matter of when, not if, Tulane would opt to go in a different direction. Tulane has been focused on rebuilding their once proud program for the last few years. Coming off a win at Army, Tulane lost 49-21 and barely registered 100 yards in the first half against a team that had allowed a nation’s worst 46.4 points per game.

But it’s not all about victories.

Tulane is in the middle of hiring a new director of athletics, who will name a new head coach as soon as possible.