Tulane's two long-time starting seniors talked together last week with me about being huge contributors in a class that that truly was part of an epic turnaround in Tulane football, going 32-9 over the past three years after the program won more than seven games only once in the first 22 years of this century and twice in the 26 years before that.
REMETICH on how special it is to be part of that class:
"It's really special to have an effect on the program and an effect on the city. My freshman year was the COVID year. The following year there was nobody in the stands. We were 2-10, we were struggling, and then that next year was really something special, and then to kind of see the team come together, the team camaraderie, the coaches were believing. Whenever we have a player-led team, it's a great team. This city started coming together and we had a couple of sold-out games that year, which I never thought I'd see at Tulane to be honest with you. Being a part of that is something I hold dearly to my heart."
On if he ever could have envisioned going 32-9 in his last three years:
"No. From the past Tulane teams, that record was flipped. It was really something cool to be a part of."
On turning point:
"The real turning point was the leadership on our team with Nick Anderson and Dorian Williams and Michael Pratt, Tyjae Spears. They spoke about this stuff right after the season, and all the hard work we put into it, the strength staff we got stronger, we got bigger and the leadership really helped us get to where we are today."
On when they truly got the feeling in 2022:
"We had a player-led meeting right before fall camp, and it kind of set the tone for fall camp. In that first week of camp, I've never seen a team fly around the way we flew around. That just set the tone the rest of the year."
GREEN on the same topic:
"I think it was just big on the mentality we had at that time, being 1-0 so it wasn't even looking at the big goal and how the year would shape out. It was just focused on winning that day, so everybody cared week in and week out and the end result came. It was nice to see."
On if he envisioned making three straight title games when he arrived:
"No, but it is special to see where this place has gone. Just from getting here, the culture has changed. Walking on campus, we hear people talking about football. We hear little whispers and stuff. That wasn't always the case. You used to get a little eye roll when you walked past people as a player. It's nice to see people starting to respect the program and respect the hard work that me and these guys put in every day."
On favorite memory:
"Football wise, it was probably that last play when Kai (Horton) threw the touchdown to Tyjae (Spears) against Houston. That was a pivotal point for that whole season."
REMETICH on favorite memory:
"My favorite part was whatever the first conference championship we got into and won. It was just crazy to see everybody storm the field. I had people sending me videos from the stands storming the field, and one moment that really put stuff in perspective for me was there was this guy that came running on to the field and ran up to me, he was about 40-50 years old and just bawling his eyes out. He said I've been waiting 40 years for this, thank you so much. Just having that effect on people is something crazy and something to think about."
GREEN on that game:
"That day was so special, seeing the injury that was brought around. People coming up hugging and grabbing at your helmet, trying to tell you thank you for the season. It was just an amazing feeling, and to follow it up with the Cotton Bowl with confetti falling, it was a picture perfect ending."
On looking back at transforming culture down the road:
"My kids will hear stories about these guys. I feel like you can't forge it. Nothing about my experience, I don't know how to put it, but it's been great overall. Having that connection that we have even off the field is something that you can't fake."
REMETICH on same question:
"Really just the locker room connections and the friends that you made. People may complain about fall camp, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Just being around the guys all the time and hanging out with them is something pretty special, and the bond you create during fall camp is unmatched."
GREEN on importance of beating Florida:
"Of course you try to go out with a bang always. It's a tough opponent, but I feel like we got it to get after them. If we do our assignments and get after it it will be a lot of fun for the last one."
REMETICH on same topic:
"The last two games have been an emotional roller coaster for us. This opponent that we're going against, the front seven is a great defense, the secondary is a great defense. Just being able to go down there and play against an SEC opponent is really something I don't take for granted. It's a great team, a great opportunity for us to prove a point."
REMETICH on how special it is to be part of that class:
"It's really special to have an effect on the program and an effect on the city. My freshman year was the COVID year. The following year there was nobody in the stands. We were 2-10, we were struggling, and then that next year was really something special, and then to kind of see the team come together, the team camaraderie, the coaches were believing. Whenever we have a player-led team, it's a great team. This city started coming together and we had a couple of sold-out games that year, which I never thought I'd see at Tulane to be honest with you. Being a part of that is something I hold dearly to my heart."
On if he ever could have envisioned going 32-9 in his last three years:
"No. From the past Tulane teams, that record was flipped. It was really something cool to be a part of."
On turning point:
"The real turning point was the leadership on our team with Nick Anderson and Dorian Williams and Michael Pratt, Tyjae Spears. They spoke about this stuff right after the season, and all the hard work we put into it, the strength staff we got stronger, we got bigger and the leadership really helped us get to where we are today."
On when they truly got the feeling in 2022:
"We had a player-led meeting right before fall camp, and it kind of set the tone for fall camp. In that first week of camp, I've never seen a team fly around the way we flew around. That just set the tone the rest of the year."
GREEN on the same topic:
"I think it was just big on the mentality we had at that time, being 1-0 so it wasn't even looking at the big goal and how the year would shape out. It was just focused on winning that day, so everybody cared week in and week out and the end result came. It was nice to see."
On if he envisioned making three straight title games when he arrived:
"No, but it is special to see where this place has gone. Just from getting here, the culture has changed. Walking on campus, we hear people talking about football. We hear little whispers and stuff. That wasn't always the case. You used to get a little eye roll when you walked past people as a player. It's nice to see people starting to respect the program and respect the hard work that me and these guys put in every day."
On favorite memory:
"Football wise, it was probably that last play when Kai (Horton) threw the touchdown to Tyjae (Spears) against Houston. That was a pivotal point for that whole season."
REMETICH on favorite memory:
"My favorite part was whatever the first conference championship we got into and won. It was just crazy to see everybody storm the field. I had people sending me videos from the stands storming the field, and one moment that really put stuff in perspective for me was there was this guy that came running on to the field and ran up to me, he was about 40-50 years old and just bawling his eyes out. He said I've been waiting 40 years for this, thank you so much. Just having that effect on people is something crazy and something to think about."
GREEN on that game:
"That day was so special, seeing the injury that was brought around. People coming up hugging and grabbing at your helmet, trying to tell you thank you for the season. It was just an amazing feeling, and to follow it up with the Cotton Bowl with confetti falling, it was a picture perfect ending."
On looking back at transforming culture down the road:
"My kids will hear stories about these guys. I feel like you can't forge it. Nothing about my experience, I don't know how to put it, but it's been great overall. Having that connection that we have even off the field is something that you can't fake."
REMETICH on same question:
"Really just the locker room connections and the friends that you made. People may complain about fall camp, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Just being around the guys all the time and hanging out with them is something pretty special, and the bond you create during fall camp is unmatched."
GREEN on importance of beating Florida:
"Of course you try to go out with a bang always. It's a tough opponent, but I feel like we got it to get after them. If we do our assignments and get after it it will be a lot of fun for the last one."
REMETICH on same topic:
"The last two games have been an emotional roller coaster for us. This opponent that we're going against, the front seven is a great defense, the secondary is a great defense. Just being able to go down there and play against an SEC opponent is really something I don't take for granted. It's a great team, a great opportunity for us to prove a point."