What Is 1959 Tulane Green Wave football team

Overview

The 1959 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University in the 1959 NCAA University Division football season. Competing as an independent, the team struggled to find consistency under head coach Andy Pilney, who was in his sixth year at the helm.

Playing their home games at the historic Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, the Green Wave faced a challenging schedule that included several strong opponents. Despite moments of promise, the team finished with a losing record and was outscored across the season.

• Season record: The Green Wave posted a 3–7 overall record, marking one of the more difficult seasons in the late 1950s for the program.
• Head coach:Andy Pilney led the team for the sixth consecutive year, compiling a 3–7 record in 1959 before stepping down after the season.
• Home stadium:Tulane Stadium, with a capacity of over 80,000, hosted all home games and was a major venue in college football at the time.
• Scoring stats: The team was outscored 185–139 over 10 games, averaging 13.9 points per game while allowing 18.5 per contest.
• Conference status: Tulane competed as an independent, meaning they were not affiliated with any athletic conference during the 1959 season.

Season Performance

The 1959 campaign was defined by a mix of close losses and missed opportunities, with the Green Wave failing to build on earlier successes from the decade. The team opened the season with a loss and never managed to string together more than two wins in a row.

• Opening game: Tulane lost their season opener 14–13 to Texas Tech, a narrow defeat that set the tone for a competitive but inconsistent year.
• Best stretch: The team won two consecutive games in October, defeating Southern Miss and Memphis State by a combined score of 37–14.
• Key loss: A 27–7 defeat to rival LSU highlighted the talent gap between Tulane and top-tier Southern programs at the time.
• Offensive struggles: The offense averaged just 13.9 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the NCAA University Division in scoring.
• Defensive effort: Despite giving up 18.5 points per game, the defense held three opponents under 10 points, including a shutout of Chattanooga.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 1959 Green Wave compared to other seasons and key benchmarks in program history:

The 1959 season mirrored the struggles of 1958, with nearly identical records and scoring margins. While not the worst in program history, it highlighted a downward trend under Pilney, who was replaced the following year. Compared to the successful 1954 and 1949 seasons, the late 1950s marked a decline in competitiveness for Tulane football.

Why It Matters

The 1959 season is a snapshot of a transitional period in Tulane football history, reflecting broader challenges in maintaining elite status in college football. Though not a standout year, it provides context for understanding the program’s evolution.

• Coaching change: Andy Pilney’s departure after 1959 marked the end of a six-year tenure that began with promise but ended in declining results.
• Historical context: The season occurred during a time when Southern football was becoming increasingly competitive, with programs like LSU rising nationally.
• Stadium legacy: Tulane Stadium hosted major events beyond college football, including early Super Bowls, making it a significant venue in sports history.
• Program trajectory: The losing records of 1958 and 1959 foreshadowed a long rebuilding process that would last decades.
• Recruiting challenges: Tulane struggled to attract top-tier talent compared to larger state schools, affecting on-field performance.
• Independent status: As an independent, Tulane lacked conference stability, which later contributed to their decision to join the SEC in the 1990s.

While the 1959 Green Wave didn’t achieve on-field success, the season remains a valuable reference point for understanding the challenges and changes in mid-20th century college football at Tulane.