Georgia Southern's Willie Fritz becomes new Tulane head coach

Georgia Southern coach Willie Fritz has accepted an offer to be Tulane's head coach, according to sources.

Georgia Southern coach Willie Fritz has accepted an offer to be Tulane's head coach, according to a source. He will replace Curtis Johnson, who finished 15–34 in four seasons.

Fritz has guided Georgia Southern to a 17–7 record in two seasons and won the Sun Belt coach of the year award in 2014. It continues a track record of persistent winning for Fritz, who has won more than 72% of his games in more than two decades as a head coach.

Fritz’s stops include Central Missouri, Blinn College and Sam Houston State. While at Sam Houston, Fritz led the Bearkats to back-to-back FCS title games in 2011 and ’12. He has a career record of 193-74-1.

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The 55-year-old Fritz will bring a distinct style to Tulane, as Georgia Southern ran a hybrid triple option attack from both the shotgun and pistol last season. That will make the Green Wave one of the most difficult teams to prepare for in the American Athletic Conference.

Tulane has made a concerted effort to become a relevant player in major college football the past few seasons. That includes the debut of an on-campus stadium in 2014 that cost more than $65 million.

The Green Wave finished 3–9 this season, including 1–7 in the American Athletic Conference.