What Is 1942 Tulane Green Wave football

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1942 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University during the 1942 college football season, finishing with a 5–4 overall record under head coach Claude Simons Jr. The team played as an independent and scored 127 points while allowing 105.

Key Facts

The 1942 Tulane Green Wave finished the season with a 5–4 overall record
Claude Simons Jr. was the head coach during the 1942 season
Tulane scored 127 points and allowed 105 points in 1942
The team played as an independent, not part of a conference
Home games were held at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans

Overview

The 1942 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University during the 1942 college football season. Competing as an independent program, the team was led by head coach Claude Simons Jr. in his second season at the helm.

The Green Wave played their home games at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans and recorded a 5–4 overall record. Despite the winning percentage of .556, the season did not include any bowl game appearances, which were less standardized during this era.

Record: The team finished with a 5–4 overall record, marking a slight improvement from the previous year’s 4–5–1 mark under Simons.
Scoring: Tulane scored 127 total points across nine games, averaging 14.1 points per game, while allowing 105 points against.
Coach: Claude Simons Jr. served as head coach for the second consecutive season, having taken over in 1941 after the departure of previous coach Red Dawson.
Independence: The Green Wave competed as an independent, meaning they were not affiliated with any formal conference during the 1942 season.
Venue: All home games were played at Tulane Stadium, a 30,000-seat venue located on the university’s campus in Uptown New Orleans.

How It Works

The 1942 season operated under the standard college football rules of the time, with teams playing a mix of regional and national opponents without conference alignment constraints.

Season Structure:Teams played 9–10 games annually, often scheduling opponents based on regional proximity and competitive balance rather than conference obligations.
Player Eligibility:Many college athletes were subject to military draft calls during World War II, which led to roster instability and frequent lineup changes across programs.
Game Rules:The forward pass was legal and widely used, though strategies were more run-oriented compared to modern eras, with limited substitution rules.
Scoring System:Touchdowns were worth 6 points, field goals 3, and safeties 2, consistent with current rules, though extra-point kicks were more commonly attempted than two-point conversions.
Coaching Staff:Claude Simons Jr. oversaw all aspects of team operations, including game planning, player development, and recruitment, with a smaller support staff than today.
Game Locations:Tulane Stadium hosted all home games, while away games required travel by train or car, often across the South and Midwest.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1942 Tulane Green Wave with select peer programs from the same season:

Team	Record	Points For	Points Against	Head Coach
Tulane	5–4	127	105	Claude Simons Jr.
LSU	4–5	98	103	Bernie Bierman
Mississippi State	7–2–1	177	72	Ralph Sasse
Georgia Tech	9–2	234	77	William Alexander
Alabama	7–3	199	86	Frank Thomas

This table highlights that Tulane’s performance was mid-tier compared to regional peers. While not dominant defensively or offensively, the Green Wave outperformed nearby LSU but fell short of powerhouse teams like Georgia Tech and Alabama, who advanced to major bowl games.

Why It Matters

The 1942 season reflects a transitional era in college football, shaped by World War II and evolving athletic programs. Tulane’s independent status and modest record illustrate the challenges faced by mid-major programs during wartime.

Historical Context:The 1942 season occurred during World War II, leading to depleted rosters as many college-aged men enlisted or were drafted.
Program Stability:Tulane maintained continuity under Simons, providing stability during a time of national upheaval and shifting athletic priorities.
Regional Rivalries:Games against LSU and other Southern teams helped solidify regional fan bases and recruiting pipelines despite no formal conference.
Stadium Legacy:Tulane Stadium later hosted Super Bowls and became a landmark, but in 1942, it was a key venue for Southern football.
Coaching Impact:Claude Simons Jr. laid groundwork for future success, though he stepped down after the 1942 season due to military service.
Evolution of CFB:The 1942 season exemplifies how college football adapted during global crises, influencing post-war expansion and conference realignment.

Overall, the 1942 Tulane Green Wave season offers insight into the resilience of collegiate athletics during wartime, serving as a snapshot of American sports history.