Pete Thamel from ESPN reports on December 8, 2024, at 07:25 PM ET. He is the College Football Senior Writer for ESPN and an insider for College Gameday.

Tre Lamb's Appointment and Tulsa's Excitement

Tulsa has made a significant hire by bringing in East Tennessee State's Tre Lamb as their next head coach. As announced on Sunday, Tulsa athletic director Justin Moore expressed great enthusiasm for Lamb and his family joining the university. Moore emphasized that Lamb is young, energetic, and a proven winner, believing he is the perfect fit to lead the program and restore a winning tradition in this new era of college football.Lamb, at 35 years old, brings with him five years of head-coaching experience. After Tulsa's recent 8-16 record over the past two seasons, the school officials were attracted to Lamb's success in executing turnarounds at ETSU and Gardner-Webb. In his first season at ETSU, the team went 7-5, taking over a squad that had a 3-8 record in 2023. Prior to that, he coached Gardner-Webb for four seasons, taking over a program that finished 3-9 in 2019 and leading the team to back-to-back FCS playoff appearances in 2022-23.

Lamb's Offensive Philosophy and Fit for the Conference

Lamb's experience on the offensive side of the ball is a great fit for the American Athletic Conference. His expertise in running a wide-open system aligns well with the league's style. This approach is expected to bring a new dynamic to Tulsa's football program and enhance their offensive capabilities.

Navigating the NIL and Portal Space

Tulsa officials were also looking for a coach with experience in navigating the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) and portal space. Lamb has gained this experience at the FCS level, which is crucial in today's college football landscape. The university's pitch to candidates included the availability of NIL/revenue share dollars that are competitive with the top of the conference. This gives Lamb the resources to build a strong team and attract talented players.

Lamb's Family and Football Heritage

Lamb comes from a strong football background. His father, Hal, led Calhoun High in Georgia to three state titles, and his grandfather, Ray, also won three state titles during his long high school career. His uncle, Bobby Lamb, is a veteran Division I coach who has worked at Furman and Mercer and is currently the head coach at Anderson University in South Carolina. This family legacy adds to Lamb's credibility and passion for the game.Lamb replaces Kevin Wilson, who was fired after less than two seasons at Tulsa. With Lamb at the helm, Tulsa is looking to turn things around and compete for championships. His appointment has generated a lot of excitement among students and fans, and they are eager to see what he can bring to the program.