Tulane offensive coordinator Chip Long learns new team while expanding attack

Tulane is entering year six of the Willie Fritz era. He has compiled a 29-33 mark, turning the program around and taking the Green Wave to three consecutive bowl appearances.

In his tenure, offenses have produced 27.6 points per game on average. A solid running game is almost always a ssured but explosiveness with the passing game has not been common. Fritz would like to expand the overall ability of the Tulane offense to makes plays and put points on the board.

Now tasked to take the Green Wave further forward is first-year offensive coordinator Chip Long.

The 38-year old has clearly been impressed with the attitude and depth of the Tulane squad.

“Just to have the speed,” Long said. “We go pretty fast. We’re blessed with a good amount of depth. This is the only place that I’ve been where we have three legit groups. We’re able to keep guys fresh.”

Long already has experience making an offense shine in the American Athletic Conference. He ran the Memphis offense in 2016, when quarterback Riley Ferguson and a pair of future NFL running back, Tony Pollard (Cowboys) and Darrell Henderson (Rams), posted impressive numbers.

It was good enough for Long to be hired as offensive coordinator at Notre Dame. For the next three seasons, he tutored current Saints’ players Ian Book and Tony Jones, Jr. as well as standout Steelers wideout Chase Claypool among other pro talents. In 2018, Long was named a Broyles Award finalist given to the nation’s top assistant.

Throughout his 15-year career, he has coached 11 players who have advanced to the NFL. That stat is intriguing to a recruits.

Looking to find success at another stop, Long and the Tulane offense is busy with a lot of experimentation thus far in fall camp. The up-tempo pace is what he is seeking.

“I’m trying to find out who our guys are,” Long said “I don’t want anyone to be able to eliminate a portion of our offense during a game” explained Long. “We’ll move guys around. We’ll do a lot of variables. The players see how much this offense is going to benefit them. They’re learning as we go. Guys are seeing the ball, so that’s an added incentive. We’re trying to find out what we’re good at, what our QB’s are good at and what our top skilled guys are good at.”

Most agree Tulane will go as far as sophomore Michael Pratt takes them. He was the seventh true freshman to start for Tulane at quarterback since 1975 but his rookie efforts were as good as you can hope to see. His 20 touchdown passes were the most by any true freshman behind center in the country last season.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Boca Raton, Florida product demonstrated flashes of brilliance last season.

Tulane has sent a few quarterbacks to the NFL, including Shaun King, Patrick Ramsey, J.P. Losman, Lester Ricard and Ryan Griffin. Pratt could add his name to that fraternity.

Justin Ibieta (6-5, 230), a talented product of Metairie Park Country Day, is no slouch at the second spot on the quarterback depth chart. Long knows you’re only as good as your next player up. He’s preparing Prett and Ibieta to be ready.

“Both have had a solid camp,” Long said. “They both know where they’re going with the ball. I want our guys to struggle some, make mistakes. It’s the only way that you’re going to learn. We don’t want them to repeat the same mistakes. Their execution is good. We just need to play faster. We need to keep being more physical in everything we do.”

The Green Wave averaged 32.4 points per contest in 2020 and scored 30 points or more in seven games for the first time since the 12-0 Tulane team in 1998. That includes a 66-point explosion at Southern Miss when Pratt took control of the offense Sept. 26th.

Just how close is Tulane to reaching new heights in the AAC? The Wave scored the most touchdowns (56) in the conference last season. However, they were 34% on 3rd down and the fourth most penalized unit in the league with 75.

Greater efficiency along with more explosiveness in the passing game is desired and attainable.

The team is blessed with talent at the wide receiver spot, headlined by Deuce Watts (6-2, 195). Last year, he snared 31 passes for 512 yards and six scores. Jha’Quan Jackson (5-9, 185) caught 31 passes as well, totaling 425 yards and eight touchdowns. Phat Watts and Mykel Jones also return to the fold.

Look for a pair of Green Wave newcomers to grab some attention. Redshirt freshman Tyrek Presley (6-2, 185) and transfer Shane Wyatt (6-0, 190). The latter moves up from Central Missouri after a two-year total of 107 catches for 2,221 yards and 15 touchdowns.

“We want to be able to move guys around,” Long said. “Body-types will dictate what we can do. Jha’Quan is such a good returner. He’s good with the ball in his hands. I can move him around a lot more and ask him to do more. Maybe more things than I would ask Deuce to do. Deuce has a bigger body. Others can do certain things that Jha’Quan can’t do.”

Long explained in more detail.

“It’s my job to find out what these guys are good at and put them in one-on-one situations. Let them go attack. At the end of the day, that’s all a coach can do. Put your best players in positive situations.”

Jackson missed spring drills so he’s still a work in progress at the receiver role.

“He’s a veteran guy,” Long said. “He’s just got to keep pushing himself. He can be a great player in the conference. His ceiling is high.”

Expect the formations to be varied with Long calling the shots.

“We don’t go with receivers on one side (only),” Long said. “They have to be able to move around, diversify, be able to do a multitude of things. That brings value to the player. The more that you can do, the better the player will be. If you’re only capable of doing a few things, the defense figure that out and try to take that away. The more things that you can do as a player, the more touches you’re going to get.”

The tight end position will not be neglected since it is a spot where Long has shared coaching responsibilities during his career. It’s an area that may draw some added attention in this offense.

“The tight end position maybe harder than the quarterback,” Long chuckled. “We ask them to do a lot. It’s a solid group. They can have an impact on this offense.”

The likely top recipient of planning and opportunities at tight end is Tyrick James, who has 21 career starts at Tulane.

As for the most skilled, dynamic and explosive player on the roster, Long will surely look to feed the ball to a healthy Tyjae Spears. The second-year running back is expected to have a breakout campaign. At 5-10 and 190 pounds with 4.35 speed, the Ponchatoula product is a true game changer.

“Tyjae brings so much to the table,” Long said. “He’s more than just a football player. His demeanor, he loves to practice. His attitude affects everybody on our offense.”

Tulane quarterbacks were sacked 33 times last fall. That should change for the better.

The Green Wave boast the most depth in the offensive line than at any time under Fritz. Four starters return from the 2020 grou,p headlined by senior left guard Corey Dublin with 49 career starts. Joey Claybrooks, the left tackle, boasts 26 starts and center Sincere Haynesworth adds 17 to the unit.

With preparation comes success. It’s not a secret in life or football. While the work in fall camp continues, Long is learning which buttons to push for the 2021 Wave squad.

“I want all of our guys to be confident,” Long said. “Good players want to know the truth. They want coaches who are going to be honest, up front coaches who make demands. To learn how to get better, you’re going to make a mistake. Keep pushing, high pressure. When game day comes around , it gets easier. We need to be a grittier group. Learn how to practice harder.”

A coach with high expectations, Long knows what his players can achieve at Tulane in 2021.