What Is 1932 Tulane Green Wave football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1932 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University during the 1932 college football season, finishing with a 5–4 record under head coach Bernie Bierman and playing home games at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.

Key Facts

The 1932 Tulane Green Wave finished the season with a 5–4 overall record
Bernie Bierman was the head coach for the 1932 season before leaving for Minnesota
Tulane played home games at Tulane Stadium, which opened in 1926
The team was independent, not part of a conference, in 1932
Tulane defeated rivals LSU 13–0 in a key matchup during the season

Overview

The 1932 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University during the 1932 college football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by head coach Bernie Bierman, who would depart after the season to take over at the University of Minnesota.

Playing their home games at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, the Green Wave compiled a 5–4 record, marking a slight decline from their dominant 1931 season. Despite the losing record, the team remained competitive, highlighted by a decisive victory over in-state rival LSU.

Record: The team finished with a 5–4 overall record, including three home wins and two road victories.
Head Coach: Bernie Bierman, who coached Tulane from 1927 to 1931 and returned for 1932, left after the season to lead Minnesota.
Home Stadium: Tulane played at Tulane Stadium, a 30,000-seat venue opened in 1926 and located on campus in New Orleans.
Season Highlight: A 13–0 shutout win over LSU in Baton Rouge was a major achievement and the only loss for LSU that season.
Independence: The Green Wave competed as an independent program, not affiliated with any conference, which was common at the time.

Season Performance

The 1932 season showcased a mix of strong defensive play and inconsistent offense, with the Green Wave outscoring some opponents but struggling against tougher competition. The team opened with promise but faced challenges maintaining momentum throughout the schedule.

September 30: Tulane defeated Mississippi College 26–0 in the season opener, showcasing offensive strength early.
October 7: A 13–7 loss to Texas Tech in New Orleans marked the first setback of the season.
October 14: The Green Wave rebounded with a 25–0 win over Southwestern Louisiana Institute.
October 21: Tulane fell to Mississippi State 14–7, highlighting struggles against stronger Southern teams.
October 28: A 13–0 win over LSU stood out as the season’s most significant victory.
November 4: Tulane lost 13–7 to Georgia Tech, a top-tier Southern program at the time.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1932 Tulane Green Wave and key opponents across win-loss records, scoring, and season outcomes:

Team	Record	Key Result vs. Tulane	Season Outcome
Tulane Green Wave	5–4	N/A	Independent season; coaching change
LSU	3–5–1	Lost 13–0 to Tulane	Only loss was to Tulane
Georgia Tech	7–4	Defeated Tulane 13–7	Won 7 games; strong defense
Mississippi State	5–5	Beat Tulane 14–7	Mid-tier SEC contender
Texas Tech	5–4	Beat Tulane 13–7	First-year program; solid debut season

The table illustrates that Tulane competed against a mix of emerging and established programs. While they lost to Georgia Tech and Mississippi State, the win over LSU remained a point of pride and demonstrated their regional competitiveness despite a losing record.

Why It Matters

The 1932 season was a transitional year for Tulane football, marking the end of the Bernie Bierman era and setting the stage for future developments in the program. Though not a championship season, it contributed to the growing football tradition in New Orleans.

Coaching Legacy: Bernie Bierman’s departure marked the end of an era; he later led Minnesota to multiple national titles.
Rivalry Significance: The win over LSU reinforced the intensity of the in-state rivalry during its early years.
Stadium Legacy: Tulane Stadium became a historic venue, later hosting Super Bowls and major college games.
Program Development: The 1932 season helped maintain visibility for Tulane football during a period of national growth in the sport.
Historical Context: The season occurred during the Great Depression, when college football provided crucial morale and entertainment.
Independent Status: Competing without conference affiliation allowed scheduling flexibility but limited postseason opportunities.

The 1932 Tulane Green Wave may not be remembered as one of the program’s greatest teams, but it played a role in shaping the university’s football identity during a pivotal decade in American sports history.