Tulane University’s football team finished the 2025 season ranked No. 18 in both the Associated Press (AP) Poll and the USA Today Coaches’ Poll, according to an announcement made on January 20. The Green Wave accumulated 404 points in the final AP Poll and were one of three teams from the American Athletic Conference to finish in the top 25, alongside Navy at No. 23 and North Texas at No. 24. Tulane was also ranked above several notable programs, including James Madison, USC, Michigan, Houston, and TCU.
This marks only the third time since 1998 that Tulane has ended a season ranked in the AP Poll; previously, they finished at No. 9 in 2022 and No. 7 in 1998.
In the USA Today Coaches’ Poll, Tulane earned 369 points and was one of two American Athletic Conference teams listed—Navy placed at No. 23. The Green Wave were again ranked higher than Houston, James Madison, USC, Michigan, as well as Illinois.
The team’s successful season included winning the American Conference Championship on December 5 for the second time in four years with a victory over North Texas (34-21). With an overall record of 11-3 across fourteen games—including two wins against Power Four opponents for the first time since 1988—Tulane secured its first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff (CFP) as an eleven seed facing Ole Miss. This also marked them as Louisiana’s first CFP participant under its new twelve-team format.
The Green Wave qualified for this spot by being the fourth-highest-ranked conference champion.
Thirteen players received All-Conference honors this season along with Patrick Durkin being named Special Teams Player of the Year. Honorees included Shadre Hurst (offensive line), Santana Hopper (defensive line), Jack Tchienchou (safety), Durkin (kicker), Alec Clark (punter), Tre’Von McAlpine (defensive line), Sam Howard (linebacker), Derrick Graham (offensive line), Harvey Dyson (linebacker), Javion White (cornerback), TJ Smith (return specialist), Jason Arredondo (designated snapper), and Jahiem Johnson (cornerback).
Over four seasons, Tulane’s football program has posted a record of 43 wins and thirteen losses.
Will Hall was announced as Tulane’s new head coach by Ben Weiner Director of Athletics Chair David Harris on December 8 after serving during this past season as Passing Game Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach. “Hall is a highly accomplished head coach with seventy collegiate wins,” Harris said upon his appointment.
Hall returned to Tulane after previously working as Offensive Coordinator from 2019–2020—a period when he helped set offensive records for the team nationally. In his most recent stint leading Tulane’s offense in 2025, four receivers caught thirty or more passes; Shazz Preston led with four touchdowns while quarterback Jake Retzlaff passed for over three thousand yards and fifteen touchdowns.
Before returning to Tulane, Hall spent more than three seasons as head coach at Southern Mississippi where he managed transitions between conferences and led his team to a bowl victory over Rice in December of their first year together.
A native of Amory, Mississippi, Hall’s earlier coaching tenure at West Georgia resulted in two Gulf South Conference titles and NCAA Division II semifinal appearances; he twice earned GSC Coach of the Year honors there before similar success at West Alabama with two league championships.
As a player himself at North Alabama from 2002–03 under his father Bobby Hall’s coaching leadership—and following junior college records—he won national recognition including receiving Division II’s Harlan Hill Trophy.
Tickets for upcoming men’s and women’s basketball seasons as well as baseball can be purchased through phone or online via TulaneTix.com or directly at James W. Wilson Jr. Center ticket office.
