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Polian will coordinate several areas for the Green Wave football program, including logistics of team travel, preseason and practice schedules, and recruiting visits.
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NEW ORLEANS – Dennis Polian has been named Director of Football Operations at Tulane University, Green Wave Head Coach Chris Scelfo announced Thursday. Polian, who spent the past year as assistant athletic director for special projects and director of football operations at Columbia University in New York City, brings a name familiar in football circles, as well as a wealth of experience, to his new position.
Polian will coordinate several areas for the Green Wave football program, including logistics of team travel, preseason and practice schedules, and recruiting visits. He serves as an important communication link between the football program and the rest of the athletic department and university offices, while also overseeing details of recruiting and nearly everything that goes on surrounding Tulane Football.
“I’m very excited about adding someone of Dennis’ caliber to our football staff,” Scelfo said. “He’s someone that has grown up in the business and has been surrounded by football his whole life. He understands how important organization is to the success of our program and will be an asset to every area of our operation. Our current and future student-athletes will benefit from the experience he brings to this position.”
In addition to his time at Columbia, Polian spent one season as corporate sales and client services manager for the Arena Football League in New York. A 1999 graduate of Villanova University, he also served as assistant director of security at the Fleet Center in Boston, Mass. While earning his master’s degree in administration from Boston College, he worked in the athletic business office at Boston College.
Polian, who is single, is the youngest of four children of Bill and Eileen Polian. His father, Bill, is the president and general manager of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, while his oldest brother, Chris, serves as the Colts’ vice president for player personnel. Another brother, Brian, is an assistant football coach at Notre Dame.
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity that Coach Scelfo has afforded me,” Polian said. “Working under his leadership, with the character and integrity of his program, is going to be a great thrill. I am looking forward to being a part of the Tulane family.”
The younger Polian, who began his duties with the Green Wave August 1, succeeded Doug Connelly, who left Tulane to take a similar position at the University of Connecticut.
Tulane opens 2005 preseason practices Tuesday, August 9, with the freshmen taking part in their first practice while the returning players report. The entire squad will hit the practice field for the first time on Wednesday, August 10. The Green Wave open the 2005 season on Sunday, Sept. 4 in Hattiesburg, Miss. with a nationally-televised ESPN2 contest versus Southern Miss. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. Tulane’s first home game is Saturday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. versus Mississippi State at the Louisiana Superdome. Tickets for the 2005 football season are on sale now at the Tulane Athletics Ticket Office in the James Wilson Center or by calling 504-861-WAVE.
-- Roll Wave --
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