Tennessee State is naming Eddie George its new head football coach, sources told ESPN.
George will supplant Ron Reed, who had been with the Tigers since 2010 and compiled a 60-69 record.
Reed’s departure is required to be declared Monday, with George scheduled to be introduced Tuesday, sources told ESPN.
George starred at running back for the Tennessee Titans from 1996 to 2003, and the Tigers hope he will bring a much-needed spark to the program. The school is taking a way like the one taken by Jackson State, which hired NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders to assume control over its program in September. Jackson State is 4-3 in Sanders’ first season as coach.
Like Sanders, George doesn’t have extensive coaching experience. Since retiring from the NFL in 2004, George has stayed connected to Nashville while likewise becoming an actor, with performances on Broadway and in film.
George has been a mentor for various Titans players, particularly Derrick Henry, who credits a heart-to-heart conversation with George as a contributing factor to his breakout season in 2018. The Tigers trust having a big name like George will help recruiting and bring more attention to the university. The coaching staff as of now incorporates previous NFL cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
Before his time in Tennessee, George was a star at Ohio State, winning the 1995 Heisman Trophy. His No. 27 is resigned by both the Buckeyes and the Titans.
Arena first detailed the news of George’s hiring at Tennessee State.