Bowling Green has made a splash in the coaching world by bringing on a notable figure as their new head coach. Eddie George, whose accolades include a Heisman Trophy, has stepped into the role, according to a report from the Toledo Blade on Sunday. George rose to the top after interviewing on Friday alongside two other strong candidates: Oklahoma State’s quarterbacks coach Kevin Johns and UMass offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian.
George’s coaching stint prior to this was with Tennessee State, an FCS program where he spent four seasons. The early years weren’t easy, as he posted a 9-13 record initially, but George managed to steer the team towards success. His efforts culminated in a playoff appearance for Tennessee State this past season, earning him the Coach of the Year honor in the Big South-OVC.
At 51, George is taking over a Bowling Green team that finished the last two seasons with a 7-6 record, under the guidance of Scot Loeffler. The Falcons, however, have hit a stumbling block recently, having dropped their last three bowl games.
Eddie George is a name that resonates beyond college football, primarily known for his stellar NFL career. A powerhouse on the field, George spent the bulk of his professional years with the Tennessee Titans, making the Pro Bowl on four occasions. Impressively, he notched up seven seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards, cementing his status as the Titans’ all-time leading rusher with 10,009 yards.
Before his NFL days, George made waves at Ohio State, capturing the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 1995. His impressive college career earned him a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame, which he joined in 2011.
This offseason, George’s name was in the mix for a potential NFL head coaching opportunity. It appears his aspirations align with reaching the professional coaching ranks, and his role at Bowling Green is a fitting progression on that path.