Willie Fritz Victory Tracker (54): 2nd All-Time

[GSx]

I've never seen a coach (on sidelines) with such a confused, perplexed look on his face.

Ed Orgeron?

Curtis Johnson

Curtis Johnson was a better coach than Scelfo or Toledo. Dickson effed him by jamming Price (Dickson’s football Finney) et al down his throat. Heck, 2 assistants CJ picked and hired are sitting head coaches. Barry Lamb, another CJ guy, turned Cairo into a monster. But when those guys left, the replacements weren’t as good.
Scelfo was a mistake from day 1. But he didn’t hire himself so I can’t completely blame him.

[Baywave1]

Back to Willie, if second half “debacle” is “on him,” then first half “miracle” is on him too and Tulane being 7-1 in the standings and ATS.

I’m cool with miracles that measurably outpace debacles on the same afternoon and in the same season.

[tulaneoutlaw]

I'm not. Fritz didn't scheme for a punt touchdown or the Memphis turnovers. That was luck that led to a miracle first half. This business of not putting the hammer down has already cost us one game and it's made at least one more closer than it needed to be. It's 2022, you score until they stop you. You don't ease up to run clock or any of that silliness. It will bite us again if we keep it up. We aren't good enough to give other teams extra chances

[Baywave1]

Explain away the good stuff as luck and be unforgiving about the bad stuff.

Sorry but “acts of god” didn’t decide that game in Tulane’s favor unless one thinks a packed Yulman shocked Memphis more than the local media and the Tigers sleepwalked through the first half wondering why the concession lines were so long instead of stopping Tulane from scoring five touchdowns

[krewe of ham and eggs]

Explain away the good stuff as luck and be unforgiving about the bad stuff.

Sorry but “acts of god” didn’t decide that game in Tulane’s favor unless one thinks a packed Yulman shocked Memphis more than the local media and the Tigers sleepwalked through the first half wondering why the concession lines were so long instead of stopping Tulane from scoring five touchdowns

Two words: no hot chocolate

[gerryb323]

Explain away the good stuff as luck and be unforgiving about the bad stuff.

Sorry but “acts of god” didn’t decide that game in Tulane’s favor unless one thinks a packed Yulman shocked Memphis more than the local media and the Tigers sleepwalked through the first half wondering why the concession lines were so long instead of stopping Tulane from scoring five touchdowns

Two words: no hot chocolate

Robots don't drink hot chocolate. But then I don't think we need to worry about Ed jinxing gracing us with his presence any time soon

[krewe of ham and eggs]

Explain away the good stuff as luck and be unforgiving about the bad stuff.

Sorry but “acts of god” didn’t decide that game in Tulane’s favor unless one thinks a packed Yulman shocked Memphis more than the local media and the Tigers sleepwalked through the first half wondering why the concession lines were so long instead of stopping Tulane from scoring five touchdowns

Two words: no hot chocolate

Robots don't drink hot chocolate. But then I don't think we need to worry about Ed jinxing gracing us with his presence any time soon

Maybe we should start an Ed juju vibrations thread

[randymc]

Here is my list of top Tulane coaches (since I started going to games in mid 60s)
1. Larry Smith
2. Tommy Bowden
3. Willie Fritz (and climbing up the ranks)
4. Bennie Ellender
5. Jim Pittman
6. Mack Brown
7. Vince Gibson (Tiger killer)
8. Chris Scelfo
9. Greg Davis
10. Buddy Teevens (at least he recruited Shaun King)
11. Curtis Johnson (at least he made one minor bowl)
12. Tommy O'Boyle
13. Bob Toledo
14. Wally English

[tulaneoutlaw]

Explain away the good stuff as luck and be unforgiving about the bad stuff.

Sorry but “acts of god” didn’t decide that game in Tulane’s favor unless one thinks a packed Yulman shocked Memphis more than the local media and the Tigers sleepwalked through the first half wondering why the concession lines were so long instead of stopping Tulane from scoring five touchdowns

I don't mean to imply that everything in the first half was luck. It obviously wasn't. The team came to play and showed it in all phases. Combined with some lucky breaks, like a punt return td and turnovers, that makes for a killer half. We still would've done well in the first half without those things, but we aren't up 35-0. Maybe you disagree, but I don't think special teams tds or turnovers are predictable, repeatable skills.

The fact remains we could've come out in the second half and finished the job early by keeping the pressure on them. Instead we took the "safe" approach and gave them life and it almost led to us getting embarrassed.

[Radio Wave]

Fritz mentioned to a sideline reporter at the end of the game that he made a mistake putting the breaks on. Got the team out of rhythm. I have never witnessed a first half like yesterday. Offense Defense Special teams play calling etc.
Great win!
Roll Wave

[ml wave]

Explain away the good stuff as luck and be unforgiving about the bad stuff.

Sorry but “acts of god” didn’t decide that game in Tulane’s favor unless one thinks a packed Yulman shocked Memphis more than the local media and the Tigers sleepwalked through the first half wondering why the concession lines were so long instead of stopping Tulane from scoring five touchdowns

I don't mean to imply that everything in the first half was luck. It obviously wasn't. The team came to play and showed it in all phases. Combined with some lucky breaks, like a punt return td and turnovers, that makes for a killer half. We still would've done well in the first half without those things, but we aren't up 35-0. Maybe you disagree, but I don't think special teams tds or turnovers are predictable, repeatable skills.

The fact remains we could've come out in the second half and finished the job early by keeping the pressure on them. Instead we took the "safe" approach and gave them life and it almost led to us getting embarrassed.

There is luck in the way the ball bounced, but we certainly deserve credit for the interception off of Robinson's helmet and the fumble caused by Clark's big hit. The muffed punt I think was due to the sun more than anything else.

[Wandering Quaker]

The Wave absolutely earned that fumble recovery. It came from a backbreaking hit. I was shocked the receiver got up afterward. Brutal, well timed, and effective.

[1401973]

Here is my list of top Tulane coaches (since I started going to games in mid 60s)
1. Larry Smith
2. Tommy Bowden
3. Willie Fritz (and climbing up the ranks)
4. Bennie Ellender
5. Jim Pittman
6. Mack Brown
7. Vince Gibson (Tiger killer)
8. Chris Scelfo
9. Greg Davis
10. Buddy Teevens (at least he recruited Shaun King)
11. Curtis Johnson (at least he made one minor bowl)
12. Tommy O'Boyle
13. Bob Toledo
14. Wally English

I'll play. I wasn't around for O'Boyle so will omit.
1. Bowden 11-1 record in conference
2. Ellender - almost named my kid 1401973
3. Gibson 17-17 record and beating lsu twice.
4. Fritz - his one score record holding him back. But inherited a pile and has made the program respectable and sustainable. As you say moving up.
5. Pittman - look over his schedules - they were brutal and he built the best Defenses Tulane has ever had (in my lifetime).
6. Smith - had only one winning season with a genius for an OC and a fantastic QB. Great recruiter allowing Gibson to do what he did.
7. Brown - only one good season with the best all around QB/athlete I've ever seen at TU. Wins the self-promotion prize.
8. Scelfo - what could have been - sigh
9. Teevens - very good recruiter allowing Bowden to do what he did
All the rest tied for last
Toledo, Davis, CJ, English - all really really bad.

[WaveProf]

The Wave absolutely earned that fumble recovery. It came from a backbreaking hit. I was shocked the receiver got up afterward. Brutal, well timed, and effective.

This. There is always luck involved, good and bad. In this case, I think the first have had less luck than average. We earned it and we dominated. And Fritz had them prepared to do that.

[Sophandros]

Explain away the good stuff as luck and be unforgiving about the bad stuff.

Sorry but “acts of god” didn’t decide that game in Tulane’s favor unless one thinks a packed Yulman shocked Memphis more than the local media and the Tigers sleepwalked through the first half wondering why the concession lines were so long instead of stopping Tulane from scoring five touchdowns

Two words: no hot chocolate

Ummm...

That's three words...

[waverider]

Explain away the good stuff as luck and be unforgiving about the bad stuff.

Sorry but “acts of god” didn’t decide that game in Tulane’s favor unless one thinks a packed Yulman shocked Memphis more than the local media and the Tigers sleepwalked through the first half wondering why the concession lines were so long instead of stopping Tulane from scoring five touchdowns

I don't mean to imply that everything in the first half was luck. It obviously wasn't. The team came to play and showed it in all phases. Combined with some lucky breaks, like a punt return td and turnovers, that makes for a killer half. We still would've done well in the first half without those things, but we aren't up 35-0. Maybe you disagree, but I don't think special teams tds or turnovers are predictable, repeatable skills.

The fact remains we could've come out in the second half and finished the job early by keeping the pressure on them. Instead we took the "safe" approach and gave them life and it almost led to us getting embarrassed.

Punt and kick return TDs are absolutely designed skill plays. If not, there would be no need to have a special teams coach on staff. With every play it helps to have a little luck on your side, but those return routes and blocking schemes are planned and practiced. Just one missed block or hold by a member of the return team and that’s not a TD. Was it luck on the previous two punt returns that ended in the end zone this year or bad luck that they were called back?

[WaveProf]

Explain away the good stuff as luck and be unforgiving about the bad stuff.

Sorry but “acts of god” didn’t decide that game in Tulane’s favor unless one thinks a packed Yulman shocked Memphis more than the local media and the Tigers sleepwalked through the first half wondering why the concession lines were so long instead of stopping Tulane from scoring five touchdowns

I don't mean to imply that everything in the first half was luck. It obviously wasn't. The team came to play and showed it in all phases. Combined with some lucky breaks, like a punt return td and turnovers, that makes for a killer half. We still would've done well in the first half without those things, but we aren't up 35-0. Maybe you disagree, but I don't think special teams tds or turnovers are predictable, repeatable skills.

The fact remains we could've come out in the second half and finished the job early by keeping the pressure on them. Instead we took the "safe" approach and gave them life and it almost led to us getting embarrassed.

Punt and kick return TDs are absolutely designed skill plays. If not, there would be no need to have a special teams coach on staff. With every play it helps to have a little luck on your side, but those return routes and blocking schemes are planned and practiced. Just one missed block or hold by a member of the return team and that’s not a TD. Was it luck on the previous two punt return TDs this year or bad luck that they were called back?

The one that had NO actual hold was bad luck!

[tulaneoutlaw]

Explain away the good stuff as luck and be unforgiving about the bad stuff.

Sorry but “acts of god” didn’t decide that game in Tulane’s favor unless one thinks a packed Yulman shocked Memphis more than the local media and the Tigers sleepwalked through the first half wondering why the concession lines were so long instead of stopping Tulane from scoring five touchdowns

I don't mean to imply that everything in the first half was luck. It obviously wasn't. The team came to play and showed it in all phases. Combined with some lucky breaks, like a punt return td and turnovers, that makes for a killer half. We still would've done well in the first half without those things, but we aren't up 35-0. Maybe you disagree, but I don't think special teams tds or turnovers are predictable, repeatable skills.

The fact remains we could've come out in the second half and finished the job early by keeping the pressure on them. Instead we took the "safe" approach and gave them life and it almost led to us getting embarrassed.

Punt and kick return TDs are absolutely designed skill plays. If not, there would be no need to have a special teams coach on staff. With every play it helps to have a little luck on your side, but those return routes and blocking schemes are planned and practiced. Just one missed block or hold by a member of the return team and that’s not a TD. Was it luck on the previous two punt returns that ended in the end zone this year or bad luck that they were called back?

They aren't repeatable skill, that's what I mean by luck. You can scheme all you want, it takes everything going just right to get a special teams score. You need all your players to execute AND the opponent to screw up. You can't count on that week in and week.

Of course there's a ton of prep and scheme that goes into it so it's not entirely luck, but it does require luck to have everything come together. Call it improbability if you prefer, but I do not expect for us to score a punt return td every week in order to win. I do expect to run a consistently good offensive and defensive scheme every week.

[waverider]

Explain away the good stuff as luck and be unforgiving about the bad stuff.

Sorry but “acts of god” didn’t decide that game in Tulane’s favor unless one thinks a packed Yulman shocked Memphis more than the local media and the Tigers sleepwalked through the first half wondering why the concession lines were so long instead of stopping Tulane from scoring five touchdowns

I don't mean to imply that everything in the first half was luck. It obviously wasn't. The team came to play and showed it in all phases. Combined with some lucky breaks, like a punt return td and turnovers, that makes for a killer half. We still would've done well in the first half without those things, but we aren't up 35-0. Maybe you disagree, but I don't think special teams tds or turnovers are predictable, repeatable skills.

The fact remains we could've come out in the second half and finished the job early by keeping the pressure on them. Instead we took the "safe" approach and gave them life and it almost led to us getting embarrassed.

Punt and kick return TDs are absolutely designed skill plays. If not, there would be no need to have a special teams coach on staff. With every play it helps to have a little luck on your side, but those return routes and blocking schemes are planned and practiced. Just one missed block or hold by a member of the return team and that’s not a TD. Was it luck on the previous two punt returns that ended in the end zone this year or bad luck that they were called back?

They aren't repeatable skill, that's what I mean by luck. You can scheme all you want, it takes everything going just right to get a special teams score. You need all your players to execute AND the opponent to screw up. You can't count on that week in and week.

Of course there's a ton of prep and scheme that goes into it so it's not entirely luck, but it does require luck to have everything come together. Call it improbability if you prefer, but I do not expect for us to score a punt return td every week in order to win. I do expect to run a consistently good offensive and defensive scheme every week.

I certainly agree with that assessment.

[gerryb323]

The Wave absolutely earned that fumble recovery. It came from a backbreaking hit. I was shocked the receiver got up afterward. Brutal, well timed, and effective.

He was not walking so great!

[Private Joker]

On Vince Gibson, seems to me he should not have been fired. Didn’t he have us playing better than our history over the prior 25 years (that’s a metric I like for evaluating coaching performance)?

[IM42lane]

Fritz now tied with Scelfo for 2nd All-Time. Let the debate begin on who was better for the Tulane Program in its history: Chris Scelfo or Willie Fritz?

It's a joke, right?

This is now classified as a Duh-Duh-DEBATE? On what grounds?
What has each coach done in postseason?[/HiLit]

[QuarterbackU]

Congrats to Coach Fritz on win #39!

Nice to see him putting some space between himself and Coach Scelfo in the event that Coach Scelfo has a second stint.

[Carolina Greenie]

Nice to see him putting some space between himself and Coach Scelfo in the event that Coach Scelfo has a second stint.

Where is the spam filter when you need it?

[QuarterbackU]

Congrats to Coach on the big 4-0!