A Reunion For Tulane Coach Curtis Johnson and the Saints?

Tulane University’s 2015 football season came to a close last night, as the Green Wave finished with a (3-9) record following a loss against Tulsa in a 45-34 shootout at Yulman Stadium. As it turns out, if a recent article on NOLA.com is correct, last night’s game was the last one for head coach Curtis “CJ” Johnson as well.

The article cites “multiple sources at the school with knowledge of the situation” saying that Johnson will be terminated as the head coach of the Green Wave football program following the final game.

In a piece for FoxSports.com, Bruce Feldman says there are several potential candidates for the head coaching position being considered and ironically one of those is recently dismissed former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

Also mentioned were LSU football assistant coach Frank Wilson as well as Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop.

The irony that the recently dismissed Ryan is mentioned is simply because there could be a possibility that Johnson could make a return to the Saints if he and the organization want following his speculated departure from Tulane.

Oct 3, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tulane Green Wave head coach Curtis Johnson against the UCF Knights during the second quarter of a game at Yulman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Considering that current Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen returned this season, a reunion for Johnson and the team isn’t that far fetched — or a bad idea.

Johnson was part of Saints head coach Sean Payton’s original staff and had a hand in the development of receivers like Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, and of course the unforgettable gem of them all, Lance Moore.

In his bio for the Saints, Johnson was described as “tough-minded and uncompromising” as well as “high energy” and “intense and detail-oriented”.

Nov 28, 2011; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson react to a call against the New York Giants in the fourth quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derek E. Hingle – USATODAY Sports

It also stated that during his time as wide receivers coach his players “combined for 108 touchdown grabs and 35 performances with over 100 yards receiving since 2006.”

During Super Bowl XLIV, Johnson can be seen and heard screaming to Payton to throw the challenge flag on a contested two-point conversion catch by Moore which ended up going in the Saints favor.

Feb 7, 2010 ; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore (16) reaches the ball out across the goal line for a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLIV at Sun-Life Stadium. The Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

In December of 2011, Johnson was offered the head football coaching position at Tulane and officially took over in 2012 where he has a not-so-stellar record of 15-34.

Also not so stellar was the wide receiving corps for the Saints after Johnson’s departure especially in the past few seasons where timing with quarterback Drew Brees has seemed inconsistent.

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The Saints hired Henry Ellard as Johnson’s replacement in 2012, who held the position until he was replaced by John Morton.

Payton is not shy about his love or respect for Johnson, and when asked in a press conference on Friday he said:

"“Obviously I pull for him.  I think the world of C.J., and I might be biased, but I worked with him for not only his years here, but prior to that at San Diego State.  He’s a tremendous coach. I know he’s been a great friend, someone who’s been a great recruiter.”"

We all know that Payton is a creature of habit and has a tendency to bring back former coaches and players he feels comfortable with and knows what he expects and wants, much like Dennis Allen.

Like Allen though, when he was fired as the Oakland Raiders head coach early in 2014, Johnson may want to take some time away from football if he is let go by Tulane as it’s being rumored; so if a reunion does happen it may not materialize until later in the offseason…