Will Hall: Tulane| Southern miss| Football coach| Coach

Introduction

Will Hall is a well-travelled American college football coach whose journey has taken him from standout Division II quarterback to head coach at multiple levels — including Tulane Green Wave and Southern Miss Golden Eagles. As of December 2025, Hall has returned to Tulane, stepping into the head coach role and beginning a new chapter in his already diverse career. 

Early Life & Playing Career

• Hall hails from Amory, Mississippi.

• He began his collegiate playing career at Northwest Mississippi Community College, where he was a two-time NJCAA All-American quarterback.

• Later, he transferred to University of North Alabama (UNA), playing quarterback from 2002–03. There, he won the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2003 — the Division II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy — after a stellar season (3,531 passing yards, 30 touchdowns), and led UNA to an overall 13–1 record and a playoff semifinal appearance.

This early success as a player laid a strong foundation for Hall’s coaching philosophy and offensive mindset later in his career.

Coaching Career: From Assistant Roles to Head Coach

Rise through Assistant Ranks & Division II Head Coach

• Hall began his coaching journey in 2004 as a quarterbacks coach at Presbyterian College, later holding assistant roles at Henderson State, Southwest Baptist, and Arkansas-Monticello.

• In 2008 he became Offensive Coordinator at West Alabama, helping revamp their offense. Under his leadership, West Alabama enjoyed consecutive winning seasons and took part in Division II playoffs in 2009 and 2010.

• Hall was elevated to head coach of West Alabama (2011–2013), and later head coach at West Georgia (2014–2016). Across these Division II stints, he compiled an impressive combined record (e.g., 31–9 at West Georgia) and led his teams to conference titles and playoff appearances.

These formative years honed his leadership and game-planning skills — and showed he could build winning programs from the ground up.

Transition to FBS – Offensive Coordinator Roles

• In 2017, Hall moved to the FBS level as Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach at Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, then in 2018 became Associate Head Coach / Tight Ends Coach at University of Memphis.

• His big break came when he was hired as Offensive Coordinator at Tulane (2019–2020). There, Hall’s offense flourished: in 2019, the Green Wave logged 3,162 rushing yards — a program record — and ranked among the top programs nationally in rushing offense, total offense, and scoring offense.

• In 2020, Tulane continued its strong offensive output, finishing 17th nationally in rushing and 22nd in scoring.

Hall’s time at Tulane showcased his offensive acumen and ability to maximize talent — qualities that would soon earn him a head-coaching opportunity.

Head Coach at Southern Miss

• On December 2, 2020, Hall was officially named the 22nd head football coach of Southern Miss.

• His tenure at Southern Miss lasted from 2021 through part of the 2024 season, finishing with an overall record of 14–30 over four seasons. 

• The high point came in 2022 when Southern Miss went 7–6 and won the LendingTree Bowl — the program’s only bowl win under Hall. 

• However, after a disappointing stretch (including a 3–9 season in 2023 and a 1–6 start in 2024), Hall was relieved of his duties in October 2024.

The mixed outcomes at Southern Miss — glimpses of success but struggles to find consistency — made his tenure there a complex chapter in his career.

Return to Tulane — New Head Coach (2025)

• In January 2025, just months after leaving Southern Miss, Hall returned to Tulane as Passing Game Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach.

• On December 8, 2025, Tulane officially announced Hall as the new head coach of the Green Wave football program — marking his second stint with the school, but now in the top role. 

• In his previous time at Tulane, Hall helped elevate the offense to record-setting levels; the administration cited his leadership, character, and track record as key reasons for his promotion. 

This new appointment signals significant trust in Hall’s vision — likely aiming to build on Tulane’s recent momentum and merge it with his offensive pedigree.

Coaching Philosophy & Strengths

• Hall’s background as a successful quarterback — especially in pass-heavy and balanced offenses — heavily influences his coaching style.

• He has demonstrated skill in building strong rushing attacks (as at Tulane), but also maintaining a balanced offense with effective passing and total yardage.

• His history in turning around Division II teams and leading them to championships speaks to his capability to build programs, develop talent, and sustain competitiveness long-term. 

Still, Hall’s struggles at Southern Miss indicate there are challenges, particularly in translating past success to consistent wins in a more competitive environment — something he’ll need to overcome in his new role at Tulane.

What’s Next for Will Hall — The Road Ahead

1. Rebuilding Tulane’s identity under his leadership: Now as head coach, Hall has the opportunity to imprint his offensive philosophy and leadership style — potentially elevating Tulane’s competitiveness more consistently.

2. Leveraging past success — and learning from mistakes: Drawing on both highs (Division II success, explosive offenses at Tulane) and lows (struggles at Southern Miss), Hall has a balanced perspective to build a steady, resilient program.

3. Recruitment & player development: Given his background and versatility, Hall may emphasize recruiting quarterbacks and offensive talent, likely blending rushing power with passing precision to create a dynamic offense.

4. Long-term program stability: Success at Tulane could reinvigorate his head-coaching reputation post-Southern Miss and position him as a durable leader in college football coaching circles.

Conclusion

Will Hall’s journey through American college football — from record-setting Division II quarterback to coach of multiple programs across divisions — underscores a career marked by reinvention, ambition, and resilience. His return to Tulane as head coach represents both a restoration and a fresh start: a chance to harness decades of experience, rebuild trust, and shape a program that reflects his vision.

Whether he’ll translate prior offensive success into consistent wins remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: with his track record, Hall offers Tulane a coach capable of blending offensive creativity with the leadership and adaptability needed in today’s college-football landscape.