Who could replace Chip Long?

(Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty images)

Chip Long informed Tulane officials today that he was leaving to take the Offensive Coordinator’s position at Georgia Tech. Judging by Tulane fan reactions during the year and after the news broke, there won’t be a lot of tears shed by the Green Wave faithful.

Tulane returns Michael Pratt as a 3rd year starter and Tyjae Spears, who is possibly the best running back in the conference. Tulane must identify a coordinator who can get the most out of Pratt and the passing game while maintaining a strong running game. Where does Willie Fritz turn in what could be the most important hire of his Tulane tenure?

I will freely admit that I have no idea who Coach Fritz will target. The possibilities are endless. The new OC will likely not be a name on this list, but here are some interesting options to consider.

Alex Atkins, OL Coach at Florida State

Tulane fans will recognize Alex Atkins as Coach Fritz’s former offensive line coach. Atkins called plays for Tulane in the Cure Bowl against ULL before departing to be the offensive coordinator at Charlotte under Will Healy. After a successful 7 win year with the 49ers, he left Charlotte to join Mike Norvell’s staff at Florida State. Atkins has already been given a big raise and a promotion at FSU, so he will not be an easy pull. However, a coordinator title with play calling duties might be enough to pull Atkins from FSU.

David Johnson, RB Coach at Florida State

People will also recognize David Johnson’s name as he was on Curtis Johnson’s staff at Tulane. Since leaving Tulane, Johnson’s star has continued to rise. In 2016-2017, Johnson was the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator at Memphis. He coached wide receivers in 2018 and running backs in 2019 for the Tennessee Volunteers. In 2020, Johnson joined Mike Norvell’s staff at Florida State as running backs coach/recruiting coordinator. Johnson has previously been a head coach at St. Aug and was offensive coordinator at O. Perry Walker early in his career.

Could Tulane pull a double and hire Atkins as OC/OL coach and Johnson as Co-OC/Passing Game Coordinator with Atkins having play call duties? It might be a pipe dream because both coaches are making a tremendous amount of money at FSU. In this scenario, Tulane would have to hire a QB coach and probably let go of 2 other assistants on staff to make everything work.

Tim Rattay, QB Coach at Oklahoma State

Tim Rattay quarterbacked Louisiana Tech in the Dome against Shaun King’s undefeated Tulane squad in 1998. Rattay played professional football through 2010. Following his playing career, he coached briefly in the UFL before returning to Ruston to coach receivers at La Tech from 2013-2015 and then quarterbacks from 2015-2018. In 2019, Rattay left the Bulldogs to be the QB coach for Jay Gruden and the Washington Football Team. In 2020, Rattay returned to college football to coach quarterbacks for Mike Gundy. Since arriving in Stillwater, Gundy has helped developed Spencer Sanders. Rattay knows how to get it done in the passing game, which is a must. He has familiarity with Louisiana and has coached under some good offensive minds. The only negative is that he has no experience as a play caller.

Shawn Bell, QB Coach at Baylor

Shawn Bell may not be a household name, but he’s familiar to Coach Fritz. Bell’s younger brother, Brian, was a four year starter for Coach Fritz at Sam Houston State and was initially supposed to be part of Coach Fritz’s first staff at Tulane. Shawn Bell was a good quarterback at Baylor and has coached several positions on offense under multiple Baylor head coaches. The son of a high school football coach, Bell has been key in making the Baylor offense go this season. The only drawback with Bell is that he is so entrenched at Baylor and may not want to leave Waco for any job, even if its a coordinator’s position.

Greg Stevens, OC at Southeastern LA

Greg Stevens has served as offensive coordinator at Southeastern for the past two seasons under Frank Scelfo. Southeastern led FCS in total offense in 2021. Stevens has helped develop Cole Kelley into a two-time All-American and a possible back to back winner of the Walter Payton Award, which is the FCS equivalent of the Heisman. Stevens is well traveled and has never coached above the FCS level aside from a short stint as wide receiver’s coach at Utah State from 2006-2009. He has previous coordinator stops at Arkansas-Monticello, Delta State, Stephen F. Austin, Eastern Illinois and Southeastern Louisiana (2012-2013, 2018- present).

Kevin Kelley, former Head Coach at Presbyterian College

Kevin Kelley is best known as the head coach that refuses to punt. He was the long-time head football coach at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, AR before becoming the head football coach at Presbyterian College in 2021. While the Blue Hose went 2-9 in 2021, they finished 3rd in total offense in FCS. Kelley resigned his post this past week to focus on other football opportunities. Kelley is fairly quirky, and I’m not sure he can work for someone else. The dude knows offense, though.

Shaun King, former Tulane great

Shaun King will always be mentioned when there is an offensive opening on the Tulane staff. It appears that Shaun has settled into a nice life/career in Tampa. He hasn’t coached in a couple of years, and I don’t see him uprooting his family to move to New Orleans.

Joe Brady, former OC of the Carolina Panthers

Not going to happen. Too much competition, too expensive.

Who do you think Tulane should target?