HBCUs are the way to go!
Former NFL player Eddie George is gearing up to take over as head coach at Tennessee State University (TSU), Blavity reports.
George was an Ohio State University Heisman award winner and a first-round draft pick in the 1996 NFL Draft. He earned four Pro Bowl selections and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011. The former NFL running back spent seven seasons with the Tennessee Titans, closing out his career with more than 10,000 rushing yards and scoring 68 touchdowns. Now George is preparing himself for the next stage in his illustrious career, taking over as head coach at TSU.
The Eddie George era has officially begun at TSU @tennstatefb #RoarCity pic.twitter.com/wawsNOD3lg
— TSU Athletics (@TSU_Tigers) April 13, 2021
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The University announced the end of former coach Rod Reed’s contract this week. During his 11 season tenure as head coach at TSU, Reed boasted a 60-69 record. Reed said he had a good run and was proud of what he and the team had accomplished, but the program’s issues made it challenging to keep up the team’s winning streak.
“It was just hard to sustain it. We ran into some financial deals probably in 2014, 2015. There were some budget cuts. We haven’t had our kids in summer school the last five years. We haven’t really had a recruiting budget the last four or five years. We played with seven less scholarships; we haven’t had our full 63 scholarships. This was our first year that we had 63,” Reed told reporters.
TSU athletics director Mikki Allen said she is grateful for Reed’s leadership, and the University plans to build on that legacy with new leadership.
“After thoroughly evaluating the state of the TSU football program, we’ve decided that it was time to make a change in leadership. We would like to thank Rod for his service, dedication, and commitment to his alma mater over the past 11 years. Rod is and will always be a TSU Tiger,” Allen said via press release.
My lil Nashville heart is doing backflips at the news that Eddie George is finna coach at TSU.
I love this!
— Books and ‘Beautiful Gowns’ (@AmbreLynae) April 13, 2021
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So… even though I was not happy with how the news about the TSU football coach change was handled, Eddie George is my all-time favorite Titan. I will wear my #27 Oilers jersey 4 eva!
Wishing him nothing but success. https://t.co/KurSKQZp0e
advertisement— Vesia really tired Hawkins (@VesiaHawkins) April 13, 2021
“This is a phenomenal move…he’s ready.” Deion Sanders spoke today about Eddie George taking the Tennessee State job, and other former star players who are interested in getting into coaching. JSU faces TSU September 11th in the Southern Heritage Classic. @WJTV pic.twitter.com/GFORX0CbGr
advertisement— Noah Newman (@NoahNewmanWJTV) April 13, 2021
Mikki Allen introducing Eddie George as the next head coach of TSU#BigBro #TSU #EddieGeorge https://t.co/XuZZ4PRzzn
advertisement— Laveil Allen (@LaveilAllenMD) April 13, 2021
Southern Heritage Classic 2021 just got even more lit.
advertisementCoach Prime vs. Eddie George https://t.co/hTHfzYOc2J pic.twitter.com/VrYc1kRDRa
— Devin Walker (@Devin_Walker2) April 11, 2021
Wow Eddie George is going to be the new Head Football Coach at Tennessee State. Deion Sanders and now him – about to put HBCU football even more on the map!
— Mekka Don (@MekkaDonMusic) April 11, 2021
This will be George’s first time as head coach. Since his time in the NFL, he has taken on mentoring several Titans players while also working as an actor and entrepreneur. He is currently on the Montgomery Bell Academy Board of Trustees and is chair of the real estate advisory committee for Music City Baseball, an organization aimed at bringing major league baseball to Nashville. TSU is hoping George will revitalize their football program in the same way that Deion Sanders has at Jackson State University.
George’s expertise may just be the magic dose TSU needs! Congratulations Eddie!
Photo Courtesy of TSU