What Is 2001 Tulane Green Wave football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2001 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University during the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 5–6 record under head coach Chris Scelfo. They competed in Conference USA and played home games at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

Key Facts

The 2001 Tulane Green Wave finished the season with a 5–6 overall record
Head coach Chris Scelfo led the team in his fourth season at the helm
Tulane played its home games at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans
The Green Wave competed in Conference USA during the 2001 season
Quarterback Patrick Ramsey was the team’s offensive leader before turning pro

Overview

The 2001 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University in the NCAA Division I-A football season, marking the program’s continued rebuilding phase after earlier successes in the late 1990s. Competing in Conference USA, the team struggled to maintain consistency, finishing with a losing record and failing to qualify for a bowl game.

Under the leadership of head coach Chris Scelfo, who was in his fourth year, the Green Wave showed flashes of potential but were hampered by defensive lapses and inconsistent offensive execution. Playing their home games at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, the team faced a challenging schedule that included both conference rivals and tough non-conference opponents.

Record: The Green Wave finished the 2001 season with a 5–6 overall record and a 3–4 mark in Conference USA play.
Head Coach:Chris Scelfo was in his fourth season as head coach, aiming to stabilize the program after the departure of successful predecessor Tommy Bowden.
Stadium: All home games were played at the Louisiana Superdome, a domed stadium in downtown New Orleans with a capacity of over 70,000.
Offensive Leader: Quarterback Patrick Ramsey returned for his senior season and led the offense, throwing for over 2,000 yards before entering the 2002 NFL Draft.
Defensive Struggles: The team allowed an average of 27.5 points per game, highlighting weaknesses that undermined otherwise competitive performances.

Season Performance

The 2001 campaign was marked by narrow losses and missed opportunities, as Tulane failed to secure the six wins needed for bowl eligibility. Despite a strong start in some games, the team often faltered in the second half, particularly against stronger conference opponents.

Non-Conference Challenges: Tulane opened the season with a loss to Mississippi State, a team that finished 6–6, indicating the difficulty of their early schedule.
Conference USA Rivals: The Green Wave defeated East Carolina and Marshall but lost critical games to Central Florida and SMU.
Home Field: At the Superdome, Tulane won three of five home games, including a close victory over East Carolina in October.
Offensive Output: The team averaged 24.1 points per game, powered by Ramsey’s passing and a developing receiving corps.
Defensive Issues: The defense ranked near the bottom of the conference in yards allowed, surrendering over 400 yards per game on average.
Season Finale: The Green Wave closed the year with a loss to East Carolina in November, sealing their 5–6 record and missing postseason play.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2001 season with previous years highlights the team’s fluctuating performance and competitive challenges in Conference USA.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Game	Head Coach
1998	12–0	7–0 (C-USA)	Liberty Bowl (W)	Tommy Bowden
1999	7–5	4–3 (C-USA)	Holiday Bowl (L)	Tommy Bowden
2000	4–7	2–5 (C-USA)	None	Chris Scelfo
2001	5–6	3–4 (C-USA)	None	Chris Scelfo
2002	5–7	3–4 (C-USA)	None	Chris Scelfo

The table shows that while the 2001 season was an improvement over 2000’s 4–7 record, it still fell short of bowl eligibility. Compared to the undefeated 1998 season, the program was clearly in a rebuilding phase under Scelfo, struggling to maintain past success.

Why It Matters

The 2001 season is a key chapter in Tulane football’s transition period following the departure of high-profile coach Tommy Bowden and star quarterback Shaun King. It reflects the challenges of sustaining success in college football, especially for programs outside the traditional power conferences.

Program Stability: The 2001 season underscored the difficulty of maintaining momentum after a coaching change and the loss of key players.
Player Development: Quarterback Patrick Ramsey’s senior year demonstrated Tulane’s ability to develop NFL-caliber talent despite team struggles.
Conference USA: Competing in a mid-major conference limited national exposure and recruiting advantages compared to Power Five schools.
Recruiting Impact: Losing seasons affected recruiting, making it harder to attract top-tier talent to New Orleans.
Fan Engagement: With inconsistent performance and no bowl game, fan attendance and enthusiasm waned during this era.
Historical Context: The 2001 season serves as a benchmark for measuring future progress in the long-term rebuilding of Tulane football.

Though not a standout year, the 2001 Tulane Green Wave season provides insight into the realities of mid-major college football programs striving for relevance and consistency in a competitive landscape.