Top Contenders for Tulane Head Coach Position Announced
The Tulane head coaching job is open again, and it’s easily one of the most coveted gigs in the Group of 5 conferences. After Willie Fritz’s strong run and Jon Sumrall’s impressive short stint—he just took the Florida job—Tulane is searching for its next football leader.
This search is drawing interest from some of the top mid-major head coaches and assistants in college football. Let’s look at a few possible candidates, their backgrounds, and why they might fit the Green Wave.
Blake Baker: A Homecoming for the LSU Defensive Coordinator?
Table of Contents
Blake Baker, LSU’s defensive coordinator, looks like a strong contender for the Tulane job. He’s 43, has loads of experience, and played linebacker for Tulane back in the day.
LSU’s defense improved a lot when Baker returned to Baton Rouge last year. Before that, he turned things around as Missouri’s defensive coordinator.
Baker’s knack for fixing defenses and his alma mater connection make him a natural fit. LSU’s new head coach Lane Kiffin wants him to stay, but leading his old team? That’s gotta be tempting.
Shannon Dawson: Miami’s Offensive Maestro
Shannon Dawson, Miami’s offensive coordinator, has strong local ties and a solid track record. Last year, his offense led the country in yards per play.
He also helped Cam Ward go from a projected fifth-round pick to the first pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dawson, now 48, spent four years at Houston before joining Miami, and he keeps showing what he can do with an offense.
Dawson’s talent for developing players and creating explosive offenses makes him intriguing for Tulane. His experience in the region is another plus.
Chris Hampton: The Defensive Guru from Oregon
Chris Hampton, Oregon’s co-defensive coordinator, is another name popping up in Tulane’s search. He’s 39, from Memphis, and previously worked under Willie Fritz at Tulane as defensive coordinator.
Hampton also spent four years coaching Tulane’s defensive backs before a quick stop at Duke. At Oregon, he’s impressed on Dan Lanning’s staff, and he could end up as their defensive coordinator if Tosh Lupoi leaves.
Hampton knows Tulane’s program well and has a sharp defensive mind. That’s definitely worth considering.
Charles Huff: Revitalizing Southern Miss
Southern Miss head coach Charles Huff is in the mix, too. In his first season, the 42-year-old former Alabama assistant took Southern Miss to a 7-5 record.
That’s a big jump for a program that won just four games over the previous two years. Huff also won the Sun Belt championship at Marshall last year, which says a lot about his coaching chops.
He’s shown he can turn around struggling teams, and his Sun Belt experience could be valuable at Tulane.
Willie Simmons: Transforming FIU
Willie Simmons has quickly become a strong candidate for Tulane. The 45-year-old led FIU to a 7-5 record and their first winning season since 2018.
Before that, he turned things around at Prairie View A&M and Florida A&M. In 2023, Simmons’ last year at Florida A&M, his team went 12-1—pretty wild, considering they’d had six straight losing seasons before he got there.
Simmons knows how to build winning programs and has plenty of experience in the region. That’s gotta count for something.
Tyson Helton: Consistent Success at Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky’s Tyson Helton is another mid-major head coach Tulane might target. He’s 48 and has posted a 56-36 record in Conference USA.
Helton’s had five straight winning seasons, each with at least eight wins. He’s kept the program steady and competitive year after year.
Book Your Dream Vacation Today
Flights | Hotels | Vacation Rentals | Rental Cars | Experiences
That consistency and his experience building strong mid-major teams make him a real option for Tulane.
Billy Napier: The Wild-Card Candidate
One wild-card candidate to keep an eye on is former Florida coach Billy Napier. At 46, Napier put together a strong 40-12 record when he led Louisiana.
Things didn’t go as well at Florida. He finished with a 22-23 record over almost four seasons there.
Even with those bumps in Gainesville, Napier’s work at Louisiana really shows he knows how to build a winning program. He’s got ties to the region and plenty of mid-major experience, which makes him a pretty interesting option for Tulane.
Sure, some folks might worry about his Florida stretch, but you can’t ignore his coaching chops and the experience he brings. He could end up being a real asset for the Green Wave.
If you want more details on the candidates, you can check out the full article on The New York Times.