By Mike Patton
Tennessee State University (TSU) was searching for a new head coach heading into the 2021 season. Many names were discussed, but one stood out—Eddie George. The former Tennessee Titans star, despite having no prior head coaching experience, quickly emerged as the frontrunner. His selection raised plenty of questions about whether he could lead the program and return Tennessee State University to relevance. On April 13, 2021, George accepted the challenge, officially becoming the head coach of the Tigers with a four-year contract worth $400,000 per season.
Fast forward to March 9, 2025, and the news broke—George is leaving after four seasons at TSU. He is headed to Bowling Green State University to take over as their new head coach on a five-year deal worth $650,000 per season. Just like that, Eddie George’s tenure in Nashville has come to an end. However, he leaves the program in a much better place than he found it.
When George took over, the Tigers were coming off a difficult 2-5 season in the COVID-affected spring of 2021. The program lacked direction, and the roster had significant gaps. Understanding the challenge ahead, George got to work, focusing on rebuilding the team. Under his leadership, the Tigers steadily improved, finishing 5-6 in his first season and then 6-5 in his third—their first winning season since 2017. He followed that by leading the Tigers to their first share of a conference championship since 1999, their first playoff appearance since 2013, and their first back-to-back winning seasons since 2016-2017.
George proved that he could coach at the collegiate level, but more importantly, he showed his ability to learn and grow in the role. Throughout his first couple of seasons, he often spoke about his learning process during press conferences, and each year, his coaching ability visibly improved. The same relentless drive that made him an elite player with the Titans helped him evolve into a stronger coach. That growth has now earned him a new opportunity at Bowling Green.
As Nashville bids farewell to Eddie George, it’s worth recognizing what he accomplished. He helped “Restore the Roar” for Tennessee State, laying the foundation for a culture of hustle, grit, and success. Now, the hope is that the next head coach can build upon what George started and continue moving the program forward.
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