Tulane University athletic director David Harris issued a sharp rebuke of the football program on Saturday following a demoralizing 60-10 loss to Tulsa during the school’s homecoming game. The defeat, which saw the Green Wave fall to 4-5 on the season, prompted an immediate administrative response regarding the team’s lackluster performance.
In a formal statement released shortly after the game, Harris did not mince words regarding his assessment of the blowout. “Today’s performance by our football program was unacceptable, and far below the standard that we have come to expect in recent years.”
The loss marks a significant low point for a program that had enjoyed considerable success in recent seasons, including multiple conference championship appearances. Harris emphasized that the current trajectory is not sustainable and acknowledged the frustration felt by the university community. He noted that while the team is in a transition period under first-year head coach Will Hall, the nature of this particular defeat was especially alarming.
The athletic director further stated that he remains accountable for the performance of all teams within the department and intends to ensure the football program receives the necessary investment to meet institutional expectations. “Our student-athletes and staff have owned what happened, will evaluate it thoroughly and show meaningful improvement in the work ahead,” Harris added.
As the Green Wave prepares for its next matchup against Rice, the pressure on the coaching staff to demonstrate tangible progress has intensified. With at least three games remaining, the athletic department is looking for a strong finish to salvage what has become a challenging season. The university continues to evaluate the steps necessary to restore the competitive standard that defined the program during its recent run of success.