Chris Scelfo Responds- New!
Oct 23, 2001 | Football
Oct. 23, 2001
FOR CHRIS SCELFO, FOOTBALL COACH
After the Navy game of 2000 it was obvious that the defense was not motivated to execute tackling and/or using effective tackling technique and I thought that an objective off season evaluation would lead to corrective measures. After three games this season the same problems are obvious. When will an OBJECTIVE evaluation of the defensive coaching staff be performed and corrective measures taken?
Wayne Holley
New Orleans
"Wayne, It is very frustrating to miss tackles and the thing that is missing is the four linebackers we lost from last year. We must do a better job on defense and I think the improvement will continue to be made as the season progresses."
I have been a staunch Tulane fan for as long as I have known about football. My father was a 1963 Medical School Graduate so I come by it honestly. I have known my share of highs and lows as I have followed the Wave, but have never been a fair-weather fan. I have always taken notice of the tremendous skill position talent that we have. Our quarterbacks and receivers year in and year out can compete with any team in the country with body control and the ability to catch the ball (Robert Griffin, Marc Zeno, P.J. Franklin, and Jawon Dawson most notably ). My question is on the defensive side of the ball. I understand the difficulty of football recruitment at Tulane due to our academic standards, but why is it so difficult to recruit the 290-320 pound lightening quick defensive linemen we need to compete against the big name teams we play. You have an SEC mentality having coached at Georgia and I know that you understood what it took to compete in that conference. Please bring that mentality to Tulane and recruit some defensive monsters like Alabama and Miss. State are able to do. We have great speed, but we need size to compliment it in order to shed blockers and bull rush. I know our kids are going to be the most intelligent players on the field, but let's be comparable in size and speed. We will always have great skill players, but comb the midwest and northeast for beasts. Florida State used to be a girls school and
Northwestern is competing. I know we can do the same. Tulane is not a stepping stone. We can be a perennial winner with commitment. Mike Dubose is a friend and is looking for a job. He can coach defense. I want to win again and I know that you do to, but we must stop people and punish them. My father is one of the only Physicians in Evergreen and is team Dr. for Hillcrest-Evergreen High School. They have an excellent running back that can be yours if pursued. I hopefully will have the honor of undergoing my medical residency at Tulane and I will be a big fan for many years to come. My challenge to you is this Coach: Recruit big, nasty, fast defensive linemen and linebackers and let's start sticking people. Patrick Ramsey and Mewelde Moore deserve better than what they are getting on the defensive side of the ball. Thank you so much for taking my long-winded sermon and question. I bleed Olive Green and Blue. Let's get it done. Sincerely and with warmest regards, Jason R. West Evergreen, Ala.
P.S. I am tired of losing to L.S.U. Please don't let it happen again.
"Thank you for your question. We are trying very hard to recruit big defensive linemen, although there are not many in the country. The junior college route is not one we can take to find them."
Coach Scelfo, our defense has given away 700+ yards in 2 of its last 3 games. How will you address this issue?
James Bandell
Gretna, La.
"We are making progress as our players mature. We have lost several due to injury and our lack of consistency falls mostly on youth and inexperience."
The defense has played hard during the first three games of the season. Given the results, what's been your message to them in regards to maintaining their confidence and level of intensity?
Gil Baligad
Monterey Park, Calif.
"Our players see that if you play hard on every snap, you give yourself a chance to make a play. The games where we have created turnovers and won on third down have been our most successful games."
As a local high school head football coach of athletes being recruited by Tulane, what assurances do the players being recruited (who are interested in TU) have that Coach Scelfo will be the coach for the next few years? Also as a Tulane fan and high school coach in this area for almost 25 years, I honestly think that Chris Scelfo is the best man to turn the Tulane program around if the administration is patient with him. He needs a couple of recruiting classes to bring in better defensive players due to the fact that Bowden recruited to hurry and get out, so the cupboard was bare. While most of the recent head coaches looked to TU as a stepping stone to a so called big time program, Chris Scelfo is the only coach since Benny Ellender who wants to turn Tulane into a big time program. He will if he has enough years on his contract to be able to promise parents of recruits that he will be there throughout their college experience. Thanks for everything you have done for Tulane athletics.
Go Wave!
Louis Valdin
Terrytown, La.
"Thank you for your question and comments. We knew the turnaround was not going to be fast, but the team is improving and I am committed to maintaining the consistency in this program along with Rick Dickson and Scott Cowen."
I was wondering what you think of Freshman DE/OL/TE Brandon Rottmayer I went to his high school and was wondering how much playing time if any he was going to get and what positon was going to be his main one. Thanks a lot,
Dan Doering
Countryside High School
Clearwater, Fla.
"Dan, Brandon has started a game and has played quite a bit for the Green Wave this year. He will become an excellent player as he gains experience, strength and size. We have been very impressed with Brandon's work ethic and 'want to'."
Why is there RARELY/NEVER any pass rush? Also, why is the defense consistenly mediocre-horrible??
Betty Bennett
Jefferson, La.
"Betty, Our defense must improve its pass rush and we work hard at it everyday. Also, we have several generation gaps that we must build through high school recruiting. Stick with us and I believe you'll see continued improvement."
My husband and I think that it is a terrible lack of sportsmanship when the entire Tulane football team does not go to shake hands with the opposing team after the game. Why is that? Kids are taught from very young at the playground levels that you do that after a game. It is done with the professional teams and usually with college teams. It doesn't make the school look very good and is quite embarrassing as a fan of the Green Wave. Most of the coaches don't go shake hands either and that doesn't look good either.
Joyce Hinyup Gretna, La.
"Joyce, I think if you watch closely, you will see that some players on both sides go directly into the locker room while others kneel and pray and others shake hands."
