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

[Tearz49ers]

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

After a dominating start to the season it has ended pretty flat, as Lopaka has said you can't be happy with how that season went. I really felt like this could be another national championship winning season, but what is meant to be is meant to be (Don't know how many times I have used that statement as a comment in these dynasty reports).

[Iron Dragon]

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

Disappointing loss to Penn State to finish 2-3 down the stretch. Here's to a good offseason.

[Deegeezy]

Tough way to end the season. The Wave will be back though. Too much talent to not be.

Thanks man...I feel we definitely have the pieces in place on both sides of the ball to make some noise next year. We take a big step back at cornerback next year, but we have enough talent surrounding that unit to where we can hopefully camouflage it a bit.

I feel very good about the team moving forward

Wow that is a heart breaking loss. The step backwards by Allen is scary and should create some controversy going into spring ball next year. I know I've been on Mason since his arrival but it looked like he came to play in this one. That lateral would have been the final straw for me if he messed that up lol.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yeah we will have to figure out how to fix Bryce Allen. The step back he took this year was alarming. I haven't had this poor of a season at QB since like year 2 of this dynasty, which is remarkable given that Allen is an 86 overall rated player. I don't know if we have anyone that will come in and take the job from him, but we clearly need to tweak the way we play a bit offensively.

A big part of that tweaking will come from Jason Mason. We have got to get him going next season and get back some of the vertical big play element back into this offense. I'm saying this now - we will make a concerted effort next season to get Mason more involved. We NEED him to step up and start getting open more often.

Wow, tough loss to take, given how much Tulane shot themselves in the foot in this game. I know you've mentioned your lack of CB depth after this year and when you couple that with poor play from Allen (creating a competition this spring at QB?) and the fact that you didn't finish in the top 10 (which hurts the promise you made to a bunch of recruits), it'll make for a very interesting off-season. Very curious to see the recruiting updates in the offseaon.

No question - we are at a crossroads as a program and this will be a pivotal off-season as will next season's recruiting season.

Our cornerbacks are downright scary looking on paper - in a bad way. Our top two returning guys, Tyler Harrison and Pacman Johnson are returning sophomores rated at 72, which will probably go up 2-3 more points, but still that's not very good. Then behind them are nothing but guys rated in the 60s. We were once "CB University," but that moniker is slowly fading away.

And great reminder there about the top 10 finish promises. We promised that to most of our last recruiting class, hopefully that doesn't come back to bite us this off-season. I'm thinking we'll just take a "Coach Prestige" rating hit from that, but it still has me nervous though about potentially losing guys, which really would magnify the impact of that bowl game loss.

Heh, I said in the beginning that I wanted some adversity in this "Part 2" dynasty, and it has certainly come to fruition.

Wow not the result I was expecting at all and a heartbreaking end to the season. Allen getting completely overwhelmed and becoming a turnover machine has to be the storyline of this game. Would you say it was due to too much pressure in his face or for the most part was he just making bad throws? I still think he remains the guy moving forward, unless some hot freshman comes in to challenge him. Either way a lot of questions heading into the offseason as Geezy and the team limp into it.

I really love the added depth to the Bowl Game wrap up at the end of the seasons with the picture and such. It really adds to the immersion.

I really like the stat line for Deuce. I am hoping to see him continue to be used as a big part of the pass game both as a receiver and a runner.

Looking forward to seeing how the team responds during the offseason. Hang in there my friend!

Regarding Allen's struggles - Penn State's defense was just that good. I didn't have very many options to throw it to as they smothered our receivers for the most part. A couple of the INTs were the results of non-user error overthrows and there was another where he was indeed hit while throwing. I'd like to think that the poor QB play isn't a result of me "losing it" on the sticks and more so just Allen not playing well and also our receivers just not getting open consistently. We sure didn't have this problem when Ryan Jean was in the fold.

Appreciate the compliment on the Around the NCAA. I may try to add more of those in-game pics from other teams; it certainly provides a great reminder for both the readers and myself that there is other stuff going on around the country besides Tulane games.

I am very excited for Deuce moving forward. I plan to feature him a lot more this next year. I feel like I may not have utilized him enough, especially in the passing game. He will be a key cog for us moving forward. Also watch out for senior RB Tim Powers. He plays much better than his 74 rating suggests and I think he can be a very good in-between the tackles runner next season a la the departing Buck Johnson III.

Tough tough loss to take bro. You must be disappointed with how that season went, but I have faith that you and your Green Wave will bounce back and turn things back around. Can't wait to see what happens in the offseason!

Thanks brother. This was definitely the most disappointing season we've had in a long time. No conference title game, no bowl win, lost to Alabama, got blown out by South Carolina...as I told itsbigmike, we are truly at a crossroads here. This off-season and next season will be huge for us on the recruiting front.

After a dominating start to the season it has ended pretty flat, as Lopaka has said you can't be happy with how that season went. I really felt like this could be another national championship winning season, but what is meant to be is meant to be (Don't know how many times I have used that statement as a comment in these dynasty reports).

Considering we won our first national title with a less talented roster overall than we have now, I'd say we should definitely contend again next year. I do think we need more star power though, which my two national title teams definitely had plenty of.

I must say however, it is alarming that we are now going into year 5 of this Part II project and we have not added another title by now. I won a title in year 6 of this dynasty, so it is taking just as long (possibly longer) for us to win the title again this time around. I am very surprised by that, but at the same time, you know I enjoy that fact.

Disappointing loss to Penn State to finish 2-3 down the stretch. Here's to a good offseason.

Appreciate it man...we seem to keep having these late season swoons every year. Not sure what it is we need to do to correct that. I definitely need to make it a point of emphasis to focus more down the stretch. Admittedly, I don't practice as much or study my opponents as much as things wrap up each season, so that may be the problem.


Thanks for the great feedback fellas.

FYI - The front page has been updated, for those of you that want to look back and/or get caught up: http://www.operationsports.com/forum...ge-tulane.html

I plan to advance to the off-season tomorrow morning and can't wait!





Oh by the way. To BookWorm:



I see what you did there!

[BookWork123]

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

Oh by the way. To BookWorm:







I see what you did there!

Well, I will say I didn't prefer for the season to end this way! I was half-joking with what I said about rooting against the Wave. Hopefully this season for Allen was a (big) blip on the radar and he can settle down a bit. [emoji102] my forward to the offseason!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Deegeezy]

Well, I will say I didn't prefer for the season to end this way! I was half-joking with what I said about rooting against the Wave. Hopefully this season for Allen was a (big) blip on the radar and he can settle down a bit. [emoji102] my forward to the offseason!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's all good man. I was just teasing because I saw that you "liked" my game post of your Nittany Lions beating me. LOL

I am very anxious for the Bryce Allen redemption story to begin; no way this kid is that bad. I've done more with less at that position in the past.

[SilverBullet19]

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

A rough end to the season, dropping 3 games late. It looks like the fairly young roster finally caught up with the team. There's a lot of returning talent to build from though, next year should be a good one!

[Deegeezy]

A rough end to the season, dropping 3 games late. It looks like the fairly young roster finally caught up with the team. There's a lot of returning talent to build from though, next year should be a good one!

Thanks man...It was painful to see us crash down in flames like that.

I think the biggest thing we have to turn around is the QB play. Bryce Allen should be a high 80s/low 90s QB next season, so I really need him to turn a corner and get back to playing the way he did as a freshman.

We do have a lot of young pieces, but we really need to hit it out of the park with recruiting in the next year or so, or we will quickly become "old Tulane" again soon.

[Deegeezy]

Monday, January 9, 2023

RB Deuce Monroe will head back home, transferring to Tulane's arch-rival, Alabama.



Tulane freshman star RB Deuce Monroe announces he will take his services to Tuscaloosa, transfers to Alabama | Speedy Alabama native indicates he "misses home," regretted committing to Tulane shortly after last year's signing day | Family source: Monroe's long term girlfriend and current fiance', who will attend Alabama on a track scholarship, helped lure him back to his home state | Team also loses projected starting CB Pacman Johnson to TCU

By Olivia Harlan, ESPN.com


In an announcement that sent shock waves through the SEC, Tulane star freshman RB Deuce Monroe (80 ovr), the team's projected starting running back in 2023, announced on Sunday that "after careful prayer" he has decided to follow his heart back to his home state and transfer to the University of Alabama for its upcoming winter semester, which begins next week. Monroe, a 4-star signing a season ago from Boaz, Alabama, indicated via phone conference with ESPN and other media outlets that his decision came down to one thing - his desire to play closer to home.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who never seems to age, was estatic after learning his team had pilfered arguably Tulane's best offensive player after losing multiple players over the past 13 seasons to the Green Wave.

"This is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made, but you know the old saying - 'home is where the heart is,' and that's where I want to be," said Monroe, who scored a touchdown versus the Crimson Tide during Tulane's 42-31 loss this past season at Tuscaloosa.

The 5-8 175 pound runner with 4.32 speed finished as Tulane's second leading rusher in 2022, gaining 364 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground. He led the Green Wave with 45 receptions on the year, which went for 565 yards and 5 touchdowns, displaying a tremendous amount of versatility which was tailor-made for the Green Wave's offensive system. He also scored Tulane's first and only punt return touchdown during Green Wave head coach D. Geezy's 13-year tenure, taking a punt 59 yards for a touchdown in his team's 24-17 win over Virginia Tech in game 2 of this past season, which was Monroe's home debut.

After playing in the shadow of graduating senior RB Buck Johnson III (90 ovr) this past season, Monroe was set to take on a much greater role in the offense after leading the team last fall with 1,310 all-purpose yards. But his departure has now completely nixed those plans for head coach D. Geezy and the Tulane brass, much to their surprise.

"I don't know where to begin," said Geezy via telephone.

"We are completely shocked. In a way, you can sort of tell that he was missing home and as the season wore on, he seemed to be less and less enthusiastic every day. That said, I never would have thought he'd not only quit on us, but go to one of our main competitors in the SEC. It's disappointing."

Monroe now heads to Tulane arch-rival Alabama and will have to sit out the 2023 season before becoming eligible again in 2024.

According to family sources, he was all but assured a starting spot as the Crimson Tide's feature back when that time comes, something the source says played a key role in his decision, among other things.

RB Deuce Monroe scored 11 touchdowns last season for Tulane, but the Alabama native will now join the other side of the Tidal Wave Party rivalry.

"He feels like he was being under-utlized by Geezy," said an anonymous family member.

"Tulane wanted to make him more of a scat-back, passing game player because of his size, but he feels he can carry the load as a three-down back. Not only that, but he also felt like he wasn't playing for a champion, something that was a big part of their pitch when they got him to leave home. When Alabama beat them this past year in Tuscaloosa, he said he felt like a traitor to his state and was on the wrong side.

"More importantly though above everything else, his girlfriend of five years who he just got engaged to last year committed to Alabama on a track scholarship not long ago, and he wants to be closer to her. This was really tough for them and they both did a lot of praying before deciding this was for the best for them and their future."

Monroe's departure now leaves the Tulane depth chart fairly thin at running back. The team's third leading rusher from this past season with 294 yards, returning senior RB Tim Powers (74 ovr), is now the presumed starter. The team will also be counting on returning sophomore RB Tony Tompkins (70 ovr), a 4-star recruit from last year who disappointed despite much fanfare when he committed, to help pick up the slack. He finished the season with 151 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns while finding himself going back and forth in and out of Geezy's proverbial "doghouse" due to untimely dropped passes and fumbles throughout the season.

"I am bitter about the decision, but we have to roll with the guys who want to be here," said Geezy.

"I'd be lying if I was to say I'm not going to miss Deuce, but I think we have great weapons on offense and I feel as though both Tim and Tony are ready to carry the load. We also have a couple of other guys we'll be looking for to step up."

The Crimson Tide and the Green Wave, who play annually in their "Tidal Wave Party" rivarly game, have had a history of player transfers during Geezy's tenure, though all involving players transferring from Alabama to Tulane - DT Mark Hopkins (2012), RB Brett Curtis (2015), CB Ethan Cantrelle (2015), and CB Garrett Shuler (2020), who just completed his career with the Wave, all made the jump from Tuscaloosa to New Orleans. Curtis and Cantrelle each became cornerstone players for the Green Wave during their run of 2 national titles over a three year span from 2016-2018.

CB PACMAN JOHNSON ENROLLS AT TCU


Monroe wasn't the only player Tulane learned it would be losing, as CB Adam "Pacman" Johnson (72 ovr) also announced on Monday he would be enrolling this winter at Texas Christian University, where he will be eligible to play again in 2024.

Johnson, a 4-star recruit last year from Maysville, Kentucky, was the Green Wave's dime cornerback this past fall. He finished his freshman season with only 17 tackles, however those numbers were very likely set to improve next season, as he was projected to start at cornerback for the Wave next fall.

True freshman CB Pacman Johnson (#14 above) was the team's dime cornerback this past season and was slated to start in 2023 before his decision to transfer to TCU.

According to sources close to Johnson, Johnson felt "disrespected from the get-go" by not being named the team's nickel cornerback, a spot that went to fellow freshman CB Tyler Harrison (72 ovr). As a team that deploys its nickel defense the majority of their snaps, this left little playing time for Johnson, which relegated him mostly to special teams duties. The same source also indicates that the team's disappointing finish outside of the top 10 played a role in Johnson being concerned with the team's direction.

"We don't make promises to players about how much playing time we will give them and definitely none were made here," said Tulane defensive coordinator Steve Ellis.

"He had a bad attitude from the get-go, to use his words, once we set our depth chart and quite frankly, him quitting shows a lot about his character. The kid needs to get his s*** together. We'll be fine without this sort of person in our defensive room."

Johnson's departure leaves Tulane's already-depleted cornerback core even more thin. With graduating starters Garrett Shuler (86 ovr) and Josh Warren (84 ovr) leaving along with Johnson's transfer, Harrison is the only player returning to the unit with defensive playing experience. Junior CB D.J. Keyes (67 ovr), a core special teams player a year ago, is currently #2 on the depth chart now, according to Ellis.

"We will make due with what we have," said Ellis.

"We have some great safeties and a great front-7 and I am confident we will be able to absorb this unexpected hit."

Click here to view 2022 Tulane Green Wave Roster

[BookWork123]

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

Wait......what???? Why on earth would Deuce transfer?!? I'm in shock and I can only imagine you are too...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LopaKa]

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

Woaaaaaah....totally blind sided here. Can't believe Duece would leave the program like that, I hope you guys kill Bama for the rest of his career.

[Knickerbocker91]

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

Ugh, I've missed so much since I've been working non stop lately (among other things). Like many others have said, that was a disappointing way for the season to end. Especially considering despite all the struggles you still had a chance to extend the game and possibly win it. Overall the season just ended on a sour note, but hopefully that provides motivation for the guys next season.

Also, I saw one of those RBs leaving ever since we talked about it at the beginning of the season (Monroe or Thompkins). Both wanted to be such a big part of the offense and with Buck still there it was going to be difficult to pull off. I will say I assumed Thompkins would have left instead but I guess with the OVRs it makes sense for Monroe to head home.

Surprised to hear Geezy say to the media that he felt Monroe "quit on the team". Some harsh words that I think will definitely come back around at the next Tidal Wave Party (well, 2 years from now when Monroe can play).

Good luck next season. Enjoying this as always and looking forward to the next chapter.

Oh one more thing....WTF "MID-MAJOR" SCHOOLS?! Way to get stomped in the BCS Bowl Games.

[Tearz49ers]

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

Erm... Sorry... What?

[R1zzo23]

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

Wow that is some crazy news! I can understand the 4th corner transferring away but Deuce?!? That's a huge blow to this roster.

[gsutiger]

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

This is not what I expected when I clicked to read up on the Wave Offseason. Duece leaves bit for rival Alabama..All I can say is WTF! losing him and Pacman can have a huge impact on the Green Wave going forward. I just hope the lost of these two do not end up hurting the wave in the long run

[Iron Dragon]

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

Tough circumstances but love the write up explaining it all.