NEW ORLEANS — While offensive coordinator and interim head coach Slade Nagle prepares Tulane (11-2) to face Virginia Tech (6-6) for the 2023 Military Bowl on Dec. 27, the school is hoping to quickly fill the vacancy left behind following the departure of Willie Fritz for Houston.
According to WWL Louisiana media partner Nola.com, sources have indicated to Tulane beat writer Guerry Smith that the school intends to have a replacement for Fritz by Friday.
This comes after Tulane President Michael Fritts said as much during his official statement issued on Sunday saying the school would hire a new head coach within the week.
In the meantime, the NCAA Transfer Portal officially opened on Monday, allowing players a 30-day window to seek offers from other college football programs.
On the opening day, leading receiver Chris Brazzell II entered the portal, as did fellow freshman Carson Haggard, a 6-foot, 165-pound quarterback from Gulliver Prep in Miami.
The 6-5, 195-pound Brazzell from Midland, Texas, led the Wave with 44 receptions for 711 yards (16.2-yard average). He was also tied for second in touchdown receptions (5) with tight end Alex Bauman – two behind Lawrence Keys III.
Also reported to enter the portal is sophomore quarterback Kai Horton, who went 31 of 62 for 485 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in a season that saw the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder from Carthage, Texas, start two games during starter Michael Pratt's absence due to a knee injury suffered in the Wave's season opener.
Horton went 1-1 with a loss to then No. 24 Ole Miss and a win over Southern Miss the next week.
The loss of Horton and Haggard leaves Tulane with two quarterbacks with collegiate playing time, Pratt (Jr) and former Country Day star Justin Ibieta (So).
There has been no official word if Pratt, who is the AAC's Offensive Player of the Year with 2,406 yards and 22 touchdowns, as well as 288 yards and five TDs rushing, will opt out of the Wave's bowl game.
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