Tennessee State University Hires Eddie George As Head Football Coach

Eddie George. Photo: Courtesy of TSU

Former Tennessee Titan Eddie George will be the next head football coach for the Tennessee State University Tigers.

George, an alumnus of Ohio State University and winner of the Heisman Trophy in 1995, was announced the new football coach by TSU Director of Athletics Dr. Mikki Allen at a press conference on April 13.

“Eddie George has been a winner in every facet of the game and we look forward to him bringing that same commitment to our players and having it translate into winning on and off the field,” says Allen. “We are excited to have him join us and lead the next chapter of our storied football program.”

“For decades, TSU has always made bold and strategic hires within our athletic programs that laid the foundation for our storied success in sports,” says university President Glenda Glover.  “Eddie George, with the resources he will bring to TSU, is the right choice and investment for the future of the TSU football program and the TSU community.”

George is a Tennessee Titan legend, having played eight seasons with the Houston Oilers/Titans, leading them to a championship appearance in Super Bowl XXXIV, and having his No. 27 retired. George is only the second NFL running back to rush for 10,000 yards while never missing a start, joining Jim Brown.

“Coaching is a full commitment, a duty of service. I take that seriously,” says George. “I’ve done a lot of soul searching and due diligence. The more I thought about it, I got more and more excited about it. It was like picking up an old guitar or getting back on a bike, it’s familiar but in a different capacity.”

The Tigers finished their 2020 season finishing with a record of 2-5. The Ohio Valley Conference team has failed to finish a season at or above .500 since the 2016 season.

Steven Boero