Eddie George, who once won the Heisman Trophy, has now been appointed as the new head coach at Bowling Green, a decision that was announced on Sunday. This new role comes with a five-year contract agreement.
Just two days before the announcement, George had been among three finalists who took part in interviews for the job. For the last four years, he had served as head coach at Tennessee State.
Derek van der Merwe, Bowling Green’s vice president for athletics strategy, described George as a powerful addition to the university.
In a formal release, he highlighted George’s achievements across several areas including sports, business, art, and leadership. Van der Merwe also said George would be expected to lead both on and off the field, setting a positive example in academics, business, and human relationships.
From Tennessee State Success to New Ambitions
George delivered strong performances while at the helm of Tennessee State. His efforts during the recent season helped guide the team to the FCS playoffs and earned them a share of the OVC-Big South championship. That marked the school’s first conference football title since 1999.
In response to the appointment, George said he felt honored to lead the Bowling Green football program. According to the press release, he praised the community for its warmth and shared his enthusiasm about contributing to the school’s sports legacy.
He spoke of his excitement about the opportunity and his desire to help the program reach great heights. The appointment also marks George’s return to a state where he once enjoyed incredible success. While at Ohio State, he recorded 3,768 rushing yards over four seasons and took home the Heisman Trophy in 1995.
NFL Experience and Personal Development
Before joining coaching, George made his name as a reliable player in the NFL. He spent nine seasons in the league and rushed for over 10,000 yards. After being selected in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers, he spent most of his career with the Titans in Nashville.
His time there was so impactful that the team retired his jersey in 2019, recognizing him as their all-time leading rusher. Even though he had not followed the traditional coaching path, Tennessee State offered George the role of head coach.
The school’s president at that time had described the decision as an important investment for the institution’s future. Outside of sports, George had also made strides as a businessman and actor. He even went ahead to complete an MBA from Northwestern University.
Tennessee State’s decision appeared justified by what George achieved. He transformed the football program, including a standout 2024 season where the team finished with nine wins and four losses. That season ended with their first appearance in the FCS playoffs since 2013, although they lost to Montana in the opening round.
Coaching Trends and Legacy of Hiring Former Stars
George’s coaching career at TSU aligned with a wider pattern of HBCUs hiring former standout players. Deion Sanders had earlier drawn wide attention with his time at Jackson State before he moved to Colorado.
Michael Vick was hired by Norfolk State, and DeSean Jackson took a coaching role at Delaware State, continuing the recent wave of similar appointments.
The departure of Scot Loeffler created the space for George’s arrival. Loeffler stepped down from his position at Bowling Green to accept the role of quarterbacks coach for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Bowling Green has earned a reputation for producing coaches who go on to top programs. Urban Meyer, Dave Clawson, and Dino Babers all moved from Bowling Green to roles in larger conferences.
During his time with the team, Loeffler recorded 27 wins and 41 losses across six seasons, guiding them to bowl appearances in each of the last three years.
