In 1949, Coach Frank Leahy and Notre Dame were in the middle of an historic unbeaten streak. Michigan, Ohio State, and Minnesota were also expected to field national champion contenders.
But the Sporting News did something unheard of. Their national champion pick was a team from the south. Tulane, coached by AC Kangaroo Henry Frnka.
See the screen shot from book “Green Wave: History of Tulane Football”
Frnka’s Green Wave visited South Bend in 1949, but failed to end Notre Dame’s streak. Still, Tulane won an SEC title with only two losses.
Three years later, Frnka retired and accepted a position within athletics administration back home at Austin College.
Man, I gotta get to New Orleans and check out Tulane!
