Tulane names Bob Toledo new football coach

Dec 12, 2006 - 12:58 AM NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) -- Bob Toledo has the job of trying to resuscitate Tulane's football program.

Toledo was introduced as the new football coach at Tulane on Monday night. Toledo served as the offensive coordinator at New Mexico this past season, helping the Lobos to a 6-6 record and a berth in the inaugural New Mexico Bowl.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to be the head football coach at Tulane University," Toledo said. "Tulane is a well-respected school with an outstanding academic reputation, and I look forward to creating excitement for both the fans and program."

Toledo coached at UCLA from 1996-2002, compiling a 49-32 record that included a school-record 20-game winning streak and two Pac-10 Conference championships. He was fired after a 7-5 campaign in 2002 by first-year athletic director Dan Guerrero.

"Coach Toledo brings everything to this position that we were seeking," Tulane president Scott Cowen said. "He has been a very successful coach at the highest levels of intercollegiate athletics while also understanding and believing in the values and academic standards that make Tulane University one of most highly selective universities in America."

At Tulane, Toledo replaces Chris Scelfo, who was fired November 28 after eight seasons.

The Green Wave went 4-8 this past season. They returned to the Louisiana Superdome but played before sparse crowds after being displaced in the 2005 season by Hurricane Katrina and playing all of their games on the road.

Scelfo posted a 37-57 record and guided the Green Wave to just one bowl appearance.