COACH: Curtis Johnson — At Tulane and overall: 1st year
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Eric Price
DEFENSIVE COORDINATORS: Jon Sumrall/Lionel Washington
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 1998
LAST BOWL: 2002, Hawaii
RETURNING STARTERS: 13; 6 offense, 5 defense, kicker, punter
PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Orleans Darkwa, TE Matt Marfisi, DE Austen Jacks, LB Trent Mackey, CB Ryan Travis
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: The Green Wave’s deepest and most talented position is running back. Linebacker is another strength, led by Mackey, who finished second in the league in tackles in 2011 with 145. The excitement of a new coach could count for something.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Tulane has depth issues on both lines, but the primary concern is the wide receiver group. The Green Wave had trouble running routes and gaining separation to feed the passing game last season; without that threat, defenses loaded the box to contain Tulane’s run.