Voodoo Magic and Football Dreams: Coach Vela's Vision for Tulane

SNC: Coach Skyler! Coach Skyler! Patrick from Saturday Night Chronicles. Do you have a moment to answer a few questions about the upcoming season?

Coach Vela: Coach Skyler? What is this? The YMCA? I9? FFPS? Coach Vela, please.

Also, I apologize for responding a bit late. I was at church. I give my staff until 1pm to show up to work on Sundays. Ask away!

SNC: Well, this is off to a good start… Coach Vela, sorry for how early the interview is. Thank you for your time. How has your family adjusted to the move to New Orleans? Have you had any ghost hauntings yet?

Coach Vela: I like your ambition as a young reporter.

The move to New Orleans has had its …waves for sure. Still haven’t found a good Mexican food restaurant but the Cajun food has been exquisite. New Orleans has always had a special place in my family’s heart. My wife and I stopped in New Orleans for a night 7 years ago. 9 months later, we welcomed our daughter to the world. It’s something about the voodoo on Bourbon St.

And you asked about hauntings? No. But we embrace the voodoo here. When teams and coaches see Tulane on their schedule, they’re scared for what’s about to happen. They’re terrified for the next four quarters of their lives.

SNC: Thank you for that very intimate and unnecessary bit of information.

Any chance you embrace the Voodoo and hire a Voodoo doctor to your staff to curse all opponents on your schedule?

Coach Vela: A voodoo priest was actually at my welcome press conference. We got her on staff now and she already has 14 spells ready to go.

I’ve even got with our cheer department. Our cheerleaders will be throwing out voodoo dolls after all touchdowns.

SNC: Any chance you’ll use the voodoo to get Tulane into the SEC? Are you worried about any NCAA infractions using such witchcraft? Are you saying that you’ll curse recruits that spurn you for other schools?

Coach Vela: In response to your question about the SEC, we’ll use voodoo if we have to. However, after this upcoming season, I’m reaching out to the state school in Baton Rouge. After a few years of the green wave wreaking havoc like a hurricane in Tiger Stadium, the SEC will be begging for us to join while also kicking the LSU tiger bitches out.

Regarding the NCAA, NIL? Us. Expanded playoff? Us. Transfer portal? Us. QB helmet communication? Us. Two-minute warning? Us. Our voodoo has had a helping hand in all these recent changes. Changes that will bring more viewers to college football. The NCAA turns a blind eye when the money keeps rolling in.

When it comes to recruiting, voodoo is just the icing on the cake. Now a good icing can make a bad cake good, but a lot of people sometimes don’t want the icing. We’re hitting the transfer portal HARD. We’re hitting Jucos HARD. I’m looking for the fastest, strongest, and biggest out there. Unfortunately, that’s not with the 17-18 year olds. So if any teams have a 4/5 star kid riding the pine, come to Tulane. We have a spot for you!

SNC: It seems that you have had a hand in many changes even before your time at Tulane. Bravo coach, bravo.

You’ve clearly laid out what you expect for your team this year. How will you handle the week in and week out challenges of your schedule to ensure you reach your goals for the season?

Coach Vela: Well, you know, I feel as the coach with the most experience I’ve been around the best which means I’ve learned from the best. I’m just looking to make the same impact as the coaches before me.

Schedule question! As much as I don’t want to answer questions about my schedule, it will be a factor in the success of my program. Look, I’m not going to beat around the bush. I’m busy. I’m going to remain busy, if not get busier. But I’ll find time. There’s a reason why I chose Tulane after leaving my last school. I knew the fun belt was going to be a popular destination. I wanted somewhere a little low-key where I only had to spend one day game planning, instead of multiple. I have faith in my staff to handle things while I’m gone. And when I’m gone, it’s as if we’re not missing a beat. We’re full steam ahead with or without me.

SNC: Very insightful. If you’re expecting to miss some time, are you worried that the administration and fans will have a shorter leash with you than some of your adversaries at other schools expecting to compete for the Sun Belt championship?

Coach Vela: I can control what I can control. I will say, I had the choice to go to any school in the nation and I chose Tulane. Other coaches have already moved schools one time WHAT two times WHAT three times WHAT. I’ve been at Tulane the longest and I plan on staying.

SNC: How do you feel about being “The guy replacing the guy”? Coach Fritz ended his career at Tulane, delivering some of the best seasons the school has ever experienced. Is there any pressure to replicate and continue with what he built?

Coach Vela: Coach Fritz definitely established the culture here. I wish to be half the coach he is. But to be frank, he moved on and so have we. He left, but we still managed to recruit the 64th best class. That’s ahead of such schools as East Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Nevada, Liberty, Wyoming, and others. What that tells me is the kids want to be here. Regarding the transfer portal, we did lose some depth. But we also welcomed some new athletes from such schools as Texas A&M, LSU, Utah, Alabama, Oregon, and USC. We only got better!

SNC: Coach. I appreciate the time. Before we wrap up, any parting shots or closing thoughts you have for your fans?

Coach Vela: Thought it was fitting to interview the HC of the Green Wave the day Beryl is barreling down on SE Texas. Just know any damage Beryl has done or will do will be minimal compared to the damage the Green Wave will inflict on the college football world. I’ve been in this game longer than any of my adversaries. I’ve seen the i formations, the option offense, run and gun, air raid. Studied them all. When it comes to experience, Tulane has THE guy. I’ve coached flag, junior high, and high school football. In my free time, I’m traveling back to coach HS O-Line in Katy, TX for a team on the rise. Blitz, Quarterback Club, Madden, NCAA, NFL Street, NFL 2k. Had ‘em all. Ran through everyone then. Will run through everyone now. There are coaches I’ll go up against that were still sucking on mommy’s teet when I first stepped into coaching.

I’m excited. It’s been 10 years since I’ve felt a rush like this. I’ve been around other the coaches. I’ve seen their libraries. Seems like a lot more baseball than football if you ask me. Championships will be heading to New Orleans when you have a student of the game like me leading the Green Wave. #VoodooMagic #WaveOn

SNC: Coach Vela, thank you for the opportunity to chat with you. I wish you and the team all the luck.

Coach Vela: My pleasure, Patrick!