Tennessee State University, a historically-Black college or university (HBCU) in Nashville, today introduced four-time Pro Bowl running back Eddie George as the school’s next football coach.
George, who has not coached before, enjoyed a fruitful playing career with the Tennessee Titans and won the 1995 Heisman Trophy while at Ohio State. Since officially hanging up his cleats in 2006, George has earned an MBA from the top-ranked Kellogg School of Management, started his own wealth management company, and even acted on Broadway. Throughout his post-football career, George has remained deeply engaged with the Nashville community.
TSU has hired George after declining to extend the contract of former head coach Rod Reed. The team consistently struggled during Reed’s tenure, including putting up losing seasons over the past three years, but George is ready to turn the program around. At his news conference today, he stated that his number one goal “is to win and bring prominence back to this university where it belongs.”
George joins TSU in the wake of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders’ hiring as head coach at Jackson State, another HCBU. George cited Sanders’ success so far as an inspiration that pursued him to accept his new role.
As George takes the reigns, TSU Athletic Director Mikki Allen articulated his commitment to ensuring that George has the tools necessary to succeed. That starts with having a budget large enough to fund the coaching staff that George is beginning to assemble. Allen announced that the school will be launching a fundraiser for that very purpose.
As the team looks to begin a new chapter, George noted TSU’s “rich history” and track record with sending players to the NFL. “I have some big shoes to fill,” he said. “But I feel like I’m the man to get the job done.”
