“Since then, however, the program has not progressed to the level that we aspire to”, said Dickson.
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Johnson previously served as the New Orleans Saints’ wide receivers coach (2006-11) under Sean Payton. He recruited Marshall Faulk to San Diego State in the early 90s, and players like Ed Reed, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson and Santana Moss to Miami in the late 90s.
In two seasons playing at newly constructed Yulman Stadium on campus, Tulane has gone 6-18, coinciding with their admission into the American Athletic Conference.
WWL First News reported on Wednesday that Tulane appeared set to part ways with Johnson following Friday’s game against Tulsa. It was his third losing season in four years.
And if that coach can experience short-term success, he will owe a thank you to Curtis Johnson for how he left the Tulane football program.
Johnson inherited a hard situation from Bob Toledo, who was 15-40 in five seasons and fired seven games into his fifth. Tulane’s Joseph threw for 343 yards and four touchdowns, but had the two costly interceptions that went for Hurricane touchdowns.
Other issues included road performance (Tulane won outside of Louisiana twice under Johnson), the Wave’s lack of competitiveness against “Power 5” opponents (it went 0-8 while being outscored 333-86) and recruiting imbalance.
Johnson’s last chance to save his job likely ended at SMU on November 21.
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Tulane responded with a 12-play, 61-yard drive, but Tulsa held the Green Wave to only three points, as Andrew DiRocco knocked through a 31-yard field goal to give Tulane a 17-14 lead with 4:19 left before halftime. Current AD Rick Dickson has already announced that he will be stepping aside in 2016.
