Staff Directory
- Title:
- Mike and Jan Wilcox Head Football Coach
- Email:
- Phone:
- 419-372-7083
| Coach George | |
|---|---|
| Hometown | Philadelphia, Pa. |
| College | Ohio State (2001) - BS Northwestern (2009) - MBA |
| Family | Wife, Tamara "Taj", sons Eriq and Jaire |
| Coaching History | |
| 2021-24 | Tennessee State, Head Coach |
| 2025-pres. | Bowling Green, Head Coach |
| Bowl Games/Postseason Coached | |
| 2024 | FCS Playoffs - First Round |
| Career Head Coaching Record | |
| 2021 | Tennessee State, 5-6 |
| 2022 | Tennessee State, 4-7 |
| 2023 | Tennessee State, 6-5 |
| 2024 | Tennessee State, 9-4 |
| 2025 | Bowling Green, 0-0 |
| Total | Four Years (24-22) |
From the turf of Ohio Stadium to the Super Bowl stage, the bright lights of Broadway, and now the sidelines of Bowling Green, Eddie George’s journey is one of unrelenting excellence, fearless transformation, and enduring impact. Named the 21st head coach in Bowling Green State University football history on March 9, 2025, George brings a legacy forged through athletic greatness, intellectual discipline and artistic exploration.
George brings a clear and passionate vision to his leadership at Bowling Green, instilling a culture he calls GUTS—an acronym that defines the foundation of how he expects his team to play. Under his guidance, the Falcons are expected to compete with Gumption, showing fearlessness and initiative in every situation. They must play with Understanding, recognizing the importance of preparation, discipline, and football IQ. His teams will show relentless Tenacity, never backing down regardless of the challenge. And above all, George demands a willingness to Sacrifice—to put the team above self and embrace the hard work required for collective success. This GUTS-driven mindset is central to the identity and performance of George’s Bowling Green program.
A titan of the gridiron, George first rose to national prominence at The Ohio State University, where he captured the 1995 Heisman Trophy behind a breathtaking season—1,927 rushing yards, 24 touchdowns, and over 2,300 all-purpose yards. That same year, he earned the Doak Walker, Maxwell, and Walter Camp Awards, and was a unanimous All-American, forever etching his name in Buckeye lore. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011, George’s name remains synonymous with brilliance and consistency.
Drafted in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft, George became the embodiment of durability and production for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans, never missing a start in eight seasons. A four-time Pro Bowler, NFL Rookie of the Year, and the engine behind the Titans’ run to Super Bowl XXXIV, George amassed 10,441 rushing yards and 78 total touchdowns. Alongside Jim Brown, he stands as one of only two backs in NFL history to eclipse 10,000 rushing yards without missing a single start.
Yet, Eddie George’s story is not merely one of athletic conquest—it is a masterclass in reinvention. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from Ohio State and an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, George built a thriving post-football life. He is the founder of EDGE Group, a cutting-edge landscape architecture and design firm, and the managing partner of The Edward George Wealth Management Group, where he helps clients build lasting legacies. Through the Tamara and Edward George Legacy Fund, he champions youth empowerment, education, and community development.
In the realm of entertainment, George carved a unique niche on stage and screen. He brought charisma and command to the Broadway stage as Billy Flynn in Chicago, tackled dramatic material in Topdog/Underdog, and appeared in hit series like NCIS: Los Angeles, BET’s The Game, and NBC’s American Dream Builders. His natural presence extended to the classroom, where he has served as an adjunct professor at both Ohio State and Vanderbilt, teaching The Business of Professional Sports.
George’s coaching journey began at Tennessee State University, where he inherited a struggling program and transformed it into a contender. After just two seasons, he led TSU to back-to-back winning campaigns in 2023 and 2024, including a share of the Big South–OVC Championship, a No. 19 national ranking, and the school’s first postseason appearance since 2013. His efforts earned him Big South–OVC Coach of the Year honors and a runner-up finish for the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year Award. He developed talent across the board, from 3,000-yard passers to All-Americans, proving his impact goes far beyond the huddle.Now at the helm of Bowling Green, George arrives with a 24–22 career coaching record, but more importantly, with a vision rooted in discipline, development, and belief. He is only the fifth Heisman winner to become an FBS head coach, joining legends like Steve Spurrier (1966), Pat Sullivan (1971), John David Crow (1957) and Frank Sinkwich (1942).Â
A proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., George is also deeply grounded in family. He is married to Tamara “Taj” George, a Grammy-nominated member of the R&B group SWV. Together, they are raising a legacy in their two sons—Eriq, who starred for his father’s TSU defense and now plays for BGSU, and Jaire, a former Vanderbilt running back.
Adding a unique dimension to his role at BGSU, George’s son, Eriq, joined the Falcons’ football team for the 2025, continuing his position as a defensive end. Eriq had previously led Tennessee State with 11.5 tackles for loss in 2024, earning second-team All-Big South–OVC honors. This father-son duo on the same collegiate team is a rarity. Moreover, BGSU’s Director of Athletics, Derek van der Merwe, also has a son, Ian, on the team. Ian, also a defensive lineman, joined BGSU in 2022. This unique scenario marks the first time in FBS history that both a head football coach and an athletic director have their sons playing simultaneously on the same football team.
Eddie George is more than a coach. He is a renaissance man—a Heisman hero, an NFL ironman, a scholar, a businessman, an artist, and a mentor. With every chapter, he rewrites what it means to lead with integrity, live with intention, and inspire across arenas.Â
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“Bowling Green is a special place. We loved our time there, and to this day, I always check the game scores to see how the Falcons perform each weekend. The passion and tradition of BGSU football are unmatched, and I can’t think of a better ambassador for the Orange and Brown than Eddie George as the next head football coach. His track record of success—both on and off the field—along with his strong work ethic, leadership, and ability to inspire others make him an ideal fit. His experience as a player, coach, and mentor will bring invaluable knowledge and energy to the program, helping to continue to elevate BGSU football.” - Urban Meyer
“Eddie George has been a winner in all that he has attempted in his storied career. His passion for young people and the game of football will serve the Bowling Green Falcon Family very well. I am so happy for Bowling Green and the Great State of Ohio!” - Jim Tressel
