What Is 1999 Tulane Green Wave football team

Overview

The 1999 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University in the NCAA Division I-A football season, marking a follow-up to their historic undefeated 1998 campaign. While not as dominant as the previous year, the team still achieved a strong 10–2 record and secured a bowl victory under challenging circumstances.

Following the departure of star quarterback Shaun King and head coach Tommy Bowden mid-season, the program faced significant transitions. Despite these setbacks, Tulane remained competitive in Conference USA and capped the year with a decisive win in the Liberty Bowl.

• Record: The team finished with a 10–2 overall record, a strong showing compared to most Division I programs that year.
• Bowl Game: They won the 1999 Liberty Bowl on December 31, 1999, defeating BYU by a score of 27–10.
• Head Coach:Tommy Bowden started the season as head coach but left after the regular season to accept the head coaching job at Clemson.
• Interim Leadership: Assistant coach Chris Scelfo took over for the bowl game, marking the beginning of his tenure as permanent head coach.
• Home Stadium: All home games were played at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, a venue with NFL-caliber facilities.

How It Works

The 1999 season reflected how college football programs manage transitions in leadership and roster changes while maintaining competitiveness. Key elements included coaching shifts, quarterback development, and conference scheduling dynamics.

• Tommy Bowden's Departure:Bowden left for Clemson after the regular season concluded, having led Tulane to a 9–2 record in 1999 before the bowl game. His departure was a major storyline in college football that offseason.
• Chris Scelfo's Rise:Scelfo was promoted from offensive line coach to interim head coach for the Liberty Bowl, later becoming the permanent head coach in 2000.
• Quarterback Situation: With Shaun King graduated, senior Jose Davis took over as starter, throwing for 1,747 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season.
• Offensive Performance: The team averaged 27.3 points per game, a slight decline from the record-setting 1998 offense that averaged over 40 points.
• Defensive Adjustments: The defense allowed 20.8 points per game, showing improvement over 1998’s 24.5, despite losing several key players.
• Conference USA Play: Tulane competed in Conference USA and finished with a 6–1 conference record, winning the Western Division before the conference title game was discontinued.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1999 season to Tulane’s undefeated 1998 campaign highlights the challenges of sustaining success after major personnel losses.

This comparison shows a clear decline in offensive output and overall dominance, though the 1999 team still achieved a winning season and bowl victory. The loss of Shaun King, who threw for 3,000+ yards and 33 touchdowns in 1998, had a measurable impact on offensive efficiency. Additionally, Bowden’s departure mid-transition created uncertainty, but Scelfo stabilized the program for the future.

Why It Matters

The 1999 season is significant as a transitional year that tested Tulane’s ability to remain competitive after a historic season. It demonstrated the fragility of sustained success in college football when key players and coaches depart.

• Program Sustainability: The season tested whether Tulane could maintain excellence after losing its star QB and head coach.
• Coaching Pipeline: Bowden’s move to Clemson highlighted Tulane as a stepping-stone program for ambitious coaches.
• Player Development: Jose Davis stepping up showed the program’s ability to develop capable quarterbacks even after losing a legend.
• Bowl Consistency: Winning back-to-back Liberty Bowls proved Tulane could remain competitive on a national stage.
• Conference USA Impact: Their strong performance helped raise the national profile of Conference USA during its early years.
• Legacy Bridge: The 1999 team served as a bridge between the peak of 1998 and the rebuilding years under Scelfo in the early 2000s.

Ultimately, the 1999 Tulane Green Wave season is remembered as a resilient follow-up to perfection, showcasing adaptability in the face of change. While overshadowed by the undefeated 1998 run, it remains a notable chapter in the program’s modern history.