Fans and media meet new football coach Willie Fritz
Still hoarse from yelling “encouragement” to his former team, the Georgia Southern Eagles, during the past season, new Tulane University head football coach Willie Fritz spoke to members of the media, alumni and other Green Wave fans at a press conference on Tuesday (Dec. 15).
The night before, Tulane Athletics staff briefly introduced Fritz at the men’s basketball game versus Prairie View A&M.
We have a lot of work to do, but I like what I see.
Willie Fritz, head football coach
A little more than a week after Tulane introduced its new athletic director, the university officially welcomed Fritz, its 40th head football coach, to Tulane from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, where he spent two winning seasons and made two bowl appearances.
Fritz praised the academic reputation of Tulane and its position in the American Athletic Conference.
“There are many great teams in the American, and I believe Tulane is a sleeping giant,” Fritz said. “I look forward to the challenge of building Tulane into a consistent winner. We have a lot of work to do, but I like what I see.”
Prior to Georgia Southern, Fritz served as the head coach at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. He has 193 career victories overall and is ranked among the winningest active head coaches in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
“I knew who was at the top of my list” for the head football coach position, said Troy Dannen, the new athletics director. Even before Dannen’s first day on the job, he said, “I came down here and saw the passion, the desire [to win]; I met with the guys, and I heard what they wanted. And I just walked out of here smiling because I knew this was the perfect place for Willie, and I just hoped that I could convince him that this was the perfect place for him.”
Fritz later answered questions from the media about his offensive play philosophy, recruiting in and around Louisiana, who will serve on his coaching staff, and the challenges of changing from the Sun Belt to the American conference.
“I know what it takes to compete for conference championships and national titles,” Fritz added, describing himself as “fortunate.” “I intend to bring those winning ways here to the Green Wave.” He ended his talk with, “Roll Wave!”
