NEW ORLEANS – Tulane football assistant head coach and offensive line coach Alex Atkins has been promoted to running game coordinator, head coach Willie Fritz announced Thursday.
In his role as offensive line coach and running game coordinator, Atkins will continue to work with offensive coordinator Doug Ruse to develop the Green Wave offensive game plans.
“Alex has done an excellent job with our offensive line, and is already greatly involved with the planning of the running game and our whole offensive game plan,” Fritz said. “That is why we wanted to add the title of run game coordinator. He lends valuable expertise to our game planning and offensive scheme.”
The Chicago, Ill., native recently completed his second season at Tulane. In 2017, the Green Wave averaged 231.5 rushing yards per game, 4.8 yards per carry and 31 touchdowns, led by senior Dontrell Hilliard’s 1,091 rushing yards. In 2016, Tulane averaged 228.1 yards per game and 4.6 yards per rush. The Wave have rushed for at least 100 yards in all 24 games over the last two seasons.
Tulane finished the 2017 regular season ranked 20th in the nation and fourth in the American Athletic Conference in rushing yards per game. The Wave totaled 23 rushing plays of 20 yards or longer, 12 of which went for touchdowns. Of the 23 long rushing plays, seven went for 50 or more yards.
“I lean heavily on Alex’s input for our game planning,” Ruse said. “He is a valuable asset and really helps us shape the overall direction of our offense.”
Prior to Tulane, Atkins helped produce two very successful seasons at Georgia Southern with Fritz and Ruse in 2014 and 2015. Atkins’ offensive lines led the charge toward 18 victories, a Sun Belt Conference Championship and the top rushing offense in the nation with 371.7 rushing yards per game in two seasons. Prior to his stint at Georgia Southern, Atkins spent 2012-13 seasons at Chattanooga where the Mocs’ offense improved each year, collecting eight wins in 2013. Atkins was a four-year starter at offensive guard at UT Martin, twice selected for All-Ohio Valley Conference honors.
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