Coach Geezy in the Big Easy: Our City, Our Team | Part II - The Golden Age of Tulane

[Deegeezy]

As always that's a lot of talent walking out the door but it could have been much worse with players declaring. I figured you're LeCharles might jump early as you have a long history of sending free safeties to the next level early. I was more surprised by Brandon Davidson. I didn't realize how good of a year he was quietly having, leading the team in tackles. Filling the free safety void will be tough and it seems like the past few seasons have been thinner on the recruiting front to find quality DB's. Good luck my friend!

I must say, when I saw that we were only losing our starting safeties, I was very surprised. I was definitely expecting to lose my best offensive lineman, guard Jay Bonner (90 ovr) and my best defensive lineman, DT Mikelangelo Daniels (90 ovr), not to mention the QB and WR. Hopefully we have some help coming at safety (update on that in a moment).

You're right though, the DB talent in recent recruiting classes has been fairly thin, and we have struggled to get the great ones to come to our school (damn you Alabama!)

I was shocked at Davidson as well. He really didn't have that great of a career. Sure he led the team in tackles, but with only 1 int, I didn't even think it was on radar for him to leave.

Hopefully our lack of great talent at safety doesn't become "a thing" next season.

A new coach on Defense plus trying to replace that secondary could make for a long season next year in NOLA. I hope not though, hopefully some good things happen in recruiting to help ease this

This! Running a new defense will be an adjustment in and of itself but to do so with almost an entire new starting secondary doesn't make things any easier.


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I'm not too concerned about transitioning to a new defense. The way I see it, it can't get that much worse. Plus, in actuality, the only potential change would be the base defense. At the end of the day, you're playing most of the game in nickel and dime sub-packages anyway, and those are fairly similar across the board no matter what playbook you use.

That said, that is something I am cognizant of and the fact that we wouldn't have to change playbooks is a check in one of the "plus columns" in favor of Charles Kelly, who would run the same defensive playbook I currently use (Multiple D), but just with some deployment tweaks. I still haven't decided yet though - a part of me likes the continuity, and a part of me is ready to see something different and have a new challenge. We shall see.

[Deegeezy]

Green Wave News Clips

FS Earl Bowling

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Recruiting | Nation's top FS Bowling narrows list
Wed, 17 Jan 2024 05:45:15 -0700
Eve Jewell of TulaneInsider.com reports that 4-star FS Earl Bowling (6-1, 220, 4.32 40 time, #1 rated FS) has narrowed his list of school choices down to Notre Dame, USC, and Tulane. The Toledo, Ohio native will visit with Tulane officials this weekend, according to Jewell's report, however it is believed that USC currently holds a firm lead for his services.

The hard-hitting safety could potentially be a plug-and-play starter for the Green Wave, who lost both of its starting safeties, junior FS LeCharles Smith Jr. and junior SS Brandon Davidson, who recently applied to enter the 2024 NFL Draft.


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RB Brian Anthony

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Recruiting | 4-star RB Brian Anthony narrows list
Wed, 17 Jan 2024 05:49:28 -0700
Eve Jewell of TulaneInsider.com reports that 4-star RB Brian Anthony (5-11, 215, 4.42 40-time, #20 rated RB) has narrowed his list of school choices down to Michigan St., Georgia, and Tulane. The Niles, Illinois native will visit with Tulane officials this weekend, according to Jewell's report, however it is believed that Michigan St. currently holds the lead for his services.

With the Green Wave's leading rusher Tim Powers set to graduate, the young runner could help provide depth behind presumed starting RB Tony Tompkins next fall.



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TE Atari Edmonds

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Recruiting | 4-star TE Atari Edmonds narrows list
Wed, 17 Jan 2024 05:53:14 -0700
Eve Jewell of TulaneInsider.com reports that 4-star TE Atari Edmonds (6-4, 250, 4.62 40-time #4 rated TE) has narrowed his list of school choices down to Ohio St., Michigan, and Tulane. The Vincennes, IN native will visit with Tulane officials this weekend, according to Jewell's report, however it is believed that Ohio St. currently holds the lead for his services.




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Click here to view 2023 Tulane Green Wave Roster

[LopaKa]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy: Our City, Our Team | Part II - The Golden Age of Tul

Damn if you can somehow manage to pull those three in it would be huge for your recruiting class.

[Cheese2121]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy: Our City, Our Team | Part II - The Golden Age of Tul

A lot of good talent coming in this weekend! Maybe we need to see if Eve is available for some of those campus tours...

Bowling looks like a stud and an instant plug 'n' play especially with that speed. Is Anthony projecting more as a power back?

Good luck stealing these guys away from the teams holding leads. If you can land even one of the three I would count it a success.

[Deegeezy]

Damn if you can somehow manage to pull those three in it would be huge for your recruiting class.

Definitely...Bowling in particular would be a godsend for our secondary. We could really use at least one more safety.

A lot of good talent coming in this weekend! Maybe we need to see if Eve is available for some of those campus tours...

Bowling looks like a stud and an instant plug 'n' play especially with that speed. Is Anthony projecting more as a power back?

Good luck stealing these guys away from the teams holding leads. If you can land even one of the three I would count it a success.

Haha, yeah I am trailing on Bowling by a decent margin, so I may need Eve to work some of her magic to help close the deal after our in-home visit.

As far as Anthony - the game lists him as a "speed back," but I envision him as more of a power runner. As a matter of fact, despite his appearance, Tim Powers was only 5-10 201 pounds and was a power runner for us. Anthony is faster than he is, so I think he could be a very balanced runner if we can land him.

I view Anthony sort of in the Emmitt Smith mold - nothing spectacular, just incredibly balanced in all phases.

Thanks fellas...I am very anxious to sim past this next recruiting week tomorrow morning! Also, I have some coaching updates coming soon and even a band update (yes, I said an update about the band! lol). As most of you already know, I am kind of a football off-season junkie and enjoy it just as much as the season itself.

[Deegeezy]

Green Wave News Clips

DeJean

report courtesy Molly McGrath, ESPN.com


Tulane | DeJean hired as secondary coach
Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:23:15 -0700
Molly McGrath of ESPN.com reports that former Tulane safety Cameron DeJean (2010-2013), once considered a candidate for the team's vacant defensive coordinator position, has been hired as the Green Wave's secondary coach. DeJean, who has worked as UL-Lafayette's defensive coordinator since 2020, was a part of Tulane head coach D. Geezy's original 2010 roster in New Orleans, Geezy's first season at the school.

DeJean, 32, is the third former Tulane player hired by Geezy, and will be joining offensive coordinator Curtis Byrd and running backs coach Joey Roberts on the Green Wave sidelines this fall.

A 4-year starter and Lafayette, Louisiana native, DeJean finished his career at Tulane with 255 tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 interceptions as the team's starting safety while also operating as the team's nickel cornerback during his senior season.

"My wife and I prayed on this for days and decided that we really wanted to move back to New Orleans. We are both very grateful to Coach Geezy for allowing me to come back and also help further my career," said DeJean.

"Even though I didn't get the defensive coordinator position, to move to the SEC, even as a position coach, to me is a step up. This is a much different program that the one I left back in 2013 obviously, and I am eager to help try to get the Green Wave back to the top of the mountain."

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Dunbar (LEFT), Kelly (RIGHT)

report courtesy Britt McHenry, ESPN.com


Tulane | Source: Dunbar, Kelly finalists for DC job
Wed, 24 Jan 2024 17:17:14 -0700
Following an in-person exclusive interview, Britt McHenry of ESPN.com reports that Tulane head coach D. Geezy informed her late Wednesday night that he has zeroed in on two candidates for the team's vacant defensive coordinator position - Alabama defensive line coach Karl Dunbar and Florida St. defensive coordinator Charles Kelly.

Dunbar, having spent time with both Alabama head coach Nick Saban and former NFL coach Rex Ryan, is a disciple of the 3-4 defense. A former NFL defensive lineman, Dunbar specializes in getting sack production out of his defensive front, something the Green Wave is hoping to improve upon next season.

Kelly meanwhile uses a "Multiple" alignment, utilizing both a scaled down version of a 4-3 and 3-4 base defense, similar to that of recently departed Green Wave defensive coordinator Steve Ellis, who like Geezy, was a former pupil of Kelly's at Nicholls St. university two decades ago. Kelly was Tulane's defensive coordinator from 2011-2019, winning two national championships with the team during that span in 2016 and 2018 before being fired following the 2019 season amid controversy.

"Admittedly, this has been an agonizing process," Geezy told McHenry.

"On one hand, you have a guy that runs a defense that would be a completely new install for us but a style of defense that has had a lot of success not only at our level, but at the NFL level. And on the other hand, you have a guy that you've been with before and have won a couple of titles with, and more or less runs a similar defense to our previous coordinator; so the continuity there is the plus.

"We are still in the evaluation process. We want to be very thorough and make sure we are making the correct decision, but we also want to be decisive. Hopefully we can get this process wrapped up sometime within the next few days."




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Brown Jr.

report courtesy Eve Jewell, TulaneInsider.com


Tulane | 4-star ATH Brown Jr. commits
Wed, 24 Jan 2024 17:17:14 -0700
Eve Jewell of TulaneInsider.com reports that Texas 4-star ATH Michael Brown Jr. (6-0, 168, 4.52 40-time, #6 rated ATH) has committed to Tulane. The Kilgore, Texas native is considered one of the more intriguing prospects in the nation, as he operated as a wildcat quarterback, running back, and wide receiver for Kilgore High. He reportedly chose Tulane over Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas.

"Despite a rather average 40-time, Brown has very good acceleration and gets to top speed very quickly," said a source familiar with Tulane's recruiting.

"The team envisions him stepping right into somewhat of a 'joker' role, operating as both a receiver out of the backfield as well as in the slot. He isn't going to burn any defenders, nor is he going to get a ton of carries given his size, but he is just a very sound weapon with great hands that could help create mismatches.

"He isn't quite on the level of (presumed starter) Tony Tompkins as far as explosiveness, but he could be more of a complimentary type option that provides depth."


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Click here to view 2023 Tulane Green Wave Roster

Editor's Note:

The hiring of DeJean will be manifested by us showing favor towards deploying multiple safety sets defensively (I.E. using a safety as our nickel back, etc.), obviously depending on our available personnel at the position.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy: Our City, Our Team | Part II - The Golden Age of Tul

Love your storylines and the way you incorporate them into your game plans. Top notch stuff as always!


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[DavidTheGreat20]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy: Our City, Our Team | Part II - The Golden Age of Tul

Nice find in Brown. 4.52 isn't half bad in terms of modern NFL running back speed but his explosiveness is key. As a Lions fan I could see this guy becoming a more explosive Theo Riddick out of the backfield.

If I were in charge I'd probably give Dunbar a shot. I've run a 3-4 with lots of success before and while the adjustments will take a bit, when it's on it will work pretty successfully. However, it's your decision at the end of the day and I'll roll with either decision.


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[Deegeezy]

Love your storylines and the way you incorporate them into your game plans. Top notch stuff as always!


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Thanks rhs...In order to achieve longevity, I think it is important to keep a dynasty as real as possible and also keep the imagination flowing. I wouldn't feel right just making a simple playbook or scheme change and announcing it to the forum; to me, there needs to be a real life-like story behind it to make it feel organic in nature, for the benefit of both myself and for the reader.

Nice find in Brown. 4.52 isn't half bad in terms of modern NFL running back speed but his explosiveness is key. As a Lions fan I could see this guy becoming a more explosive Theo Riddick out of the backfield.

If I were in charge I'd probably give Dunbar a shot. I've run a 3-4 with lots of success before and while the adjustments will take a bit, when it's on it will work pretty successfully. However, it's your decision at the end of the day and I'll roll with either decision.


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Theo Reddick...now that's a great comp I never even thought of and it is pretty much spot on. His game is exactly how I envision Brown being used. He will catch a lot of passes out of the backfield (for now, all I know is that he has a "C" CTH grade, which for a RB is top of the line).

As good as Tony Tompkins was, pass-catching wasn't exactly his strong suit (51 CTH rating). He dropped 10 passes last season, and we cannot afford that from a RB out of the backfield. After catching 37 passes last year, Tony will still see some targets, but I envision us using Michael Brown Jr. in a lot of pass catching situations next season and really becoming that Theo Reddick-esque go-to guy out of the backfield.

Thanks for putting your $0.02 in on the defensive coordinator vacancy. Both options have their pros and cons. I am starting to lean in one direction slightly, but I want to sleep on it for another night. I know I have personified this potential change, but the mere act of deciding which playbook I am going to use is an important decision to make going into this particular season, with us looking like a national contender on paper. I really need to nail this decision.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy: Our City, Our Team | Part II - The Golden Age of Tul

Thanks rhs...In order to achieve longevity, I think it is important to keep a dynasty as real as possible and also keep the imagination flowing. I wouldn't feel right just making a simple playbook or scheme change and announcing it to the forum; to me, there needs to be a real life-like story behind it to make it feel organic in nature, for the benefit of both myself and for the reader.

Do you have it written down somewhere the coaching tree you have accumulated throughout the years? Also, are these coaches actually in the game or are you just creating it on your own through your writing. Phenomenal story telling regardless!

[Deegeezy]

Do you have it written down somewhere the coaching tree you have accumulated throughout the years? Also, are these coaches actually in the game or are you just creating it on your own through your writing. Phenomenal story telling regardless!

Appreciate it man...

I actually do not have any of this information written down - it is all in my head/imagination and no, they are not actually created in the game. I have 3 current "named" staff members, with a 4th obviously coming soon:

- Offensive Coordinator Curtis Byrd (my first recruited QB of this dynasty)

- Running backs coach Joey Roberts (my first recruited RB of this dynasty)

- Newly hired Secondary Coach Cameron DeJean (a safety on my team's original roster)


While I enjoy adding this element to the story, it is more or less just a vague base just to add a little realism to the stories and game reports.

I'd rather not keep a formal list, because then I'd have to name a full staff. But I sort of think of this like it is a football movie - we have our 3 or 4 main assistant coaches that get a few lines to say here and there, and the rest of our staff is made up of the nameless movie-extras coaching guys up in the background of scenes.

These former players I have "hired" are all in their early to mid 30s now, and I specifically picked these three because they were of that "popular but not NFL material" mold that would likely get into coaching.

I find it important, now going into year 15, to keep things grounded in reality by giving both myself and the reader a little bit of a feel that this dynasty universe is years into the future now, and that there is a back-history that is capable of having an effect on the current world. I have former players coaching, I have a former player helping us recruit and is dating a Kardashian sister, and I have a former player making headlines in the NFL.

This far in, I feel like you have to keep your history alive to keep things feeling real and organic.

[Cheese2121]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy: Our City, Our Team | Part II - The Golden Age of Tul

Love the storyline of hiring DeJean. I am very excited to see what direction you will go with the defensive coordinator position; I don't have to tell you what direction I am heavily leaning. To echo the sentiments of many others on here, I absolutely love what you have done with the organic nature of this report. It is one of many things that makes it the best in my mind. I cannot say enough about it.

Nice pickup in Brown Jr. It will be interesting to see in what mold you work him into the offense. I like the Reddick comparison for him and could see him becoming a reliable third down weapon. I assume you expect him to get playing time as a true freshman rather than redshirting?

[Deegeezy]

Love the storyline of hiring DeJean. I am very excited to see what direction you will go with the defensive coordinator position; I don't have to tell you what direction I am heavily leaning. To echo the sentiments of many others on here, I absolutely love what you have done with the organic nature of this report. It is one of many things that makes it the best in my mind. I cannot say enough about it.

Nice pickup in Brown Jr. It will be interesting to see in what mold you work him into the offense. I like the Reddick comparison for him and could see him becoming a reliable third down weapon. I assume you expect him to get playing time as a true freshman rather than redshirting?

Thanks as always for the kind words my friend.

I envision Michael Brown Jr. being my primary receiving back out of the backfield, in particular on third down. Tony Tompkins will still see looks in the passing game, but I believe Brown Jr. will emerge over time as a much more reliable option out of the backfield. Just as a minor spoiler - Brown has 73 CTH versus Tompkins' 52 CTH rating, which as you and I have talked about at length, is a huge difference for running backs.

He will definitely be playing in year 1 and will be the primary back-up on the depth chart to Tompkins, however I don't see us handing the ball off to him that often (more on that later).

As for the defensive coordinator job....

[Deegeezy]

Saturday, January 27, 2024

New Green Wave defensive coordinator Karl Dunbar hopes to improve upon Tulane's 22 sacks last season, tied for 7th worst in the nation.


TULANE HIRES ALABAMA ASSISTANT KARL DUNBAR AS NEW DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
Geezy picks long-time NFL and college defensive line coach over his former defensive czar Charles Kelly | Geezy, Dunbar crossed paths at Nicholls St. 25 years ago | Former NFL defensive lineman to install "pressure heavy" 3-4 defense | Dunbar: Effecting the quarterback is what we will do best

Exclusive report courtesy Britt McHenry, ESPN.com


Tulane University has reached a contract agreement with former Alabama defensive line coach Karl Dunbar , signing him to a 4-year contract Saturday afternoon to be the Green Wave's new defensive coordinator, ESPN's Britt McHenry has learned. The long time collegiate and NFL defensive line coach, at age 56, will get to cut his teeth for the first time as a coordinator, having spent 26 seasons as a position coach prior to getting the job in New Orleans. Dunbar, who has spent the last 8 seasons coaching at Alabama under legendary head coach Nick Saban, indicated to McHenry during an exclusive interview with himself along with Green Wave head coach D. Geezy, that he was ready to finally make the move.

"I told myself that I wouldn't leave a place like Alabama unless the right opportunity came along, and this chance to go work under Geezy and be a defensive coordinator at a great program back in my home state was one I didn't want to pass up," said Dunbar, an Opelousas, Louisiana native and former LSU football player.

Dunbar and Geezy each are familiar with each other, as the two men once shared time on the football field in Thibodaux, Louisiana, where Geezy was a wide receiver for the Nicholls St. Colonels while Dunbar was the team's defensive line coach for two seasons (1998, 1999) before the latter left to go coach at LSU.

"I broke the ice with Karl on the practice field one day talking to him about his time playing for my favorite NFL team growing up, the Saints. The familiarity there between he and I was important and while I can't say we were close or anything like that back then, I know what Karl's all about and what he brings to the table as a coach," said Geezy, who is heading into his 15th season at Tulane.

Dunbar spent 11 seasons coaching in the NFL, including 4 years under former NFL coach and 3-4 guru Rex Ryan with both the Jets and Bills.

"This decision between he and (defensive coordinator candidate) Charles Kelly was very tough but in the end, Coach Dunbar's style and the energy he brings to any room really won me over. His preparation for his interview was outstanding. He really knew our personnel and has a fantastic plan that I am fired up to see him implement.

"This was a choice that I admittedly went back and forth on a couple of times, but all of a sudden around Tuesday, it really became apparent that this was the guy I wanted to move forward with. I slept on it for a night, then two nights, then three nights, and at the end of each day, it was apparent that I was 100% confident that this was the direction we needed to go."

Dunbar, having coached under Saban at both LSU and Alabama as well as under former NFL head coach Rex Ryan for a combined total of 14 seasons, is extremely well-versed in the 3-4 defense, which he says will be Tulane's base defense under his tutelage. Pressuring the quarterback will be the foundation of the defense, Dunbar said, as he hopes to improve on the Green Wave's low sack total of 22, ranked 112th in the nation last season.

"I am not big on predictions or spouting off a bunch of numbers and stats, but I can promise you one thing...putting pressure on the quarterback and effecting the quarterback is what we will do best," said Dunbar.

"We are going to mix and match personnel and looking at this defensive talent in the front-7 really gets my juices going. This group can really be special and put fear in the eyes of SEC quarterbacks."

The Green Wave ranked 99th last season in scoring defense and 105th in yardage, leading to the dismissal of the team's former defense coordinator, Steve Ellis, who had been with the team since the 2019 season.

"I absolutely love Steve and will there will always be a mutual respect between the two of us," said Geezy in his first public comments on Ellis since his departure.

"Steve is a guy that was also on the field with me and Coach Dunbar back at Nicholls back in the late 90's and I'll tell you what, those two men share a lot of similar traits. At the end of the day though, we decided that the defense was ready for a new voice and a new approach, and man...I am very fired up for this next chapter of Green Wave defensive football."

Dunbar has faced a long road to becoming a defensive coordinator for the first time in his career. The former NFL lineman suffers from vitiligo, a rare skin disease which effects his skin pigmentation, and as he has most of his life, he would not let his skin problems hold him back.

"God did this for a reason," Dunbar said in an interview for ESPN back in 2011 about his life with vitiligo.

"There's nothing wrong with me. You can't give it to anybody, because I have three kids and they don't have it. My wife doesn't have it and we've been married for 21 years.

"It's just something I've had to deal with. A lot of times, it's an icebreaker. People come up to me and ask me about it. It's easy for me to get noticed, and it's been great."

Dunbar has started his own foundation with the help of Coolibar, which specializes in sun-protective clothing, and he is also featured on the company's website. The foundation's mission is to help kids with low self-esteem.

Click here to view 2023 Tulane Green Wave Roster

[gsutiger]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy: Our City, Our Team | Part II - The Golden Age of Tul

Love the hire of Dunbar. I had my fingers crossed that it would be him. Can't wait to see how things turn out next season on the defensive side of the ball.