Photo by: Parker Waters
Fritz Excited About The Upcoming 2021 Football Season
Aug 13, 2021 | Football
NEW ORLEANS – Preseason camp is long, repetitive, hot and most of all demanding, but Tulane football head coach Willie Fritz, wouldn't have it any other way.
"I've been a coaching since 1982 and about a month before the camp begins, my wife starts saying I get a little extra bounce in my step," Fritz said. "I love preseason camp. I love the opportunity to work with every single person in our program on a daily basis and the great part about it is we've got such super young men. We recruited not only quality football players, but quality young men that really represent Tulane in a first-class manner."
Fritz beamed with energy when discussing his 2021 Green Wave squad on Friday at the team's annual media day and for good reason.
Tulane returns 18 starters from last season's squad and feature 32 players that started at least one game in 2020.
"I think, the biggest strength that we have coming into this season is that this is by far the best depth that I've ever had here at Tulane," Fritz said. "We've had some great players since I got here. I really feel now that if we get a guy banged up and we've got to put another guy in he's going to be another quality football player."
With its extra added depth, the Green Wave will look to continue their consistent play from the past three seasons. The Green Wave closed the 2020 season by winning four of their final five regular season games to earned their third straight bowl bid – a first in program history.
Senior defensive back Ajani Kerr reiterated the noticeable depth of this year's team.
"Everybody can compete, everybody is really good," Kerr said. "The more depth the more competitors you have. We have a lot of guys that are ready to fire on all cylinders."
NEW FACES
As the team prepares for the season, Tulane welcomes the addition of new coordinators on both sides of the ball.
Fritz knew exactly who he wanted for his program with the additions of offensive coordinator Chip Long and defensive coordinator Chris Hampton.
"Chris was with us for four years and when I had the opportunity to bring him back, he was the only guy that I interviewed and talked to," Fritz said. "Chip was the only guy I talked to for the offensive coordinator position. I was fortunate enough to get both of them."
WELCOME BACK FANS
Yulman Stadium will welcome back fans for the Green Wave's home opener versus Oklahoma.
"I think football is meant to be played in front of a crowd," Fritz said. "I know I'm looking forward to playing in front of a crowd and so is our team. I've got a lot of people coming to week one. I told all my guys, my buddies, that if you want a ticket for week one you have to be coming week two. We're very excited about the stadium being open, having fans. I think it's going to be super and help us get back to normal."
Tulane's matchup with the Sooners is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4. The game will be aired nationally on ABC.
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
Follow Tulane football on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @GreenWaveFB. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
"I've been a coaching since 1982 and about a month before the camp begins, my wife starts saying I get a little extra bounce in my step," Fritz said. "I love preseason camp. I love the opportunity to work with every single person in our program on a daily basis and the great part about it is we've got such super young men. We recruited not only quality football players, but quality young men that really represent Tulane in a first-class manner."
Fritz beamed with energy when discussing his 2021 Green Wave squad on Friday at the team's annual media day and for good reason.
Tulane returns 18 starters from last season's squad and feature 32 players that started at least one game in 2020.
"I think, the biggest strength that we have coming into this season is that this is by far the best depth that I've ever had here at Tulane," Fritz said. "We've had some great players since I got here. I really feel now that if we get a guy banged up and we've got to put another guy in he's going to be another quality football player."
With its extra added depth, the Green Wave will look to continue their consistent play from the past three seasons. The Green Wave closed the 2020 season by winning four of their final five regular season games to earned their third straight bowl bid – a first in program history.
Senior defensive back Ajani Kerr reiterated the noticeable depth of this year's team.
"Everybody can compete, everybody is really good," Kerr said. "The more depth the more competitors you have. We have a lot of guys that are ready to fire on all cylinders."
NEW FACES
As the team prepares for the season, Tulane welcomes the addition of new coordinators on both sides of the ball.
Fritz knew exactly who he wanted for his program with the additions of offensive coordinator Chip Long and defensive coordinator Chris Hampton.
"Chris was with us for four years and when I had the opportunity to bring him back, he was the only guy that I interviewed and talked to," Fritz said. "Chip was the only guy I talked to for the offensive coordinator position. I was fortunate enough to get both of them."
WELCOME BACK FANS
Yulman Stadium will welcome back fans for the Green Wave's home opener versus Oklahoma.
"I think football is meant to be played in front of a crowd," Fritz said. "I know I'm looking forward to playing in front of a crowd and so is our team. I've got a lot of people coming to week one. I told all my guys, my buddies, that if you want a ticket for week one you have to be coming week two. We're very excited about the stadium being open, having fans. I think it's going to be super and help us get back to normal."
Tulane's matchup with the Sooners is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4. The game will be aired nationally on ABC.
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
Follow Tulane football on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @GreenWaveFB. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
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