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HBCU Football: 3 keys for Eddie George’s success at TSU

By Dante Pryor

27 Eddie George, RB (How many Titans have worn the number: 1, No. 27 was retired by the Titans in 2019) Here, Tennessee Titans running back George (27) celebrates after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-13 on aMonday Night game Oct. 16, 2000 at Adelphia Coliseum.27 Eddie George
27 Eddie George, RB (How many Titans have worn the number: 1, No. 27 was retired by the Titans in 2019) Here, Tennessee Titans running back George (27) celebrates after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-13 on aMonday Night game Oct. 16, 2000 at Adelphia Coliseum.27 Eddie George /
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Eddie George was named the new head coach of an HBCU football program at Tennessee State University. These are three keys to George’s success. 

Tennessee State hired former NFL running back and Nashville legend Eddie George as their new head coach, following the path of another HBCU football program in Jackson State, which hired Deion Sanders.

The hire was met with mixed reviews online by fans and sportswriters alike. Some saw it as a splash hire by a new, young athletic director, Dr. Mikki Howard. Others see it as Dr.Howard using the employment of a local football legend for fundraising for Tennessee State athletics.

Both could be true without any ulterior motives.  Tennessee State, an HBCU football program, has fallen behind the rest of the Ohio Valley Conference in both recruiting and facilities. Both have shown in their record the last four seasons. The Tigers have not won a conference title since 1999 and have not been to the playoffs since2013.

Despite scrutiny behind the motives of the hire, George could be a benefit to the University. However, for George to succeed as a head coach, George needs three tools for success.

3. Sell Nashville

Nearly every former head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores (even the ones who were not successful) boasts of the potential of the football program because of Nashville.

Tennessee State holds the same cache of being in a major metropolitan city. There are plenty of solid FCS-level recruits in Nashville and surrounding areas as well. TSU is one of two Ohio Valley Conference schools (Belmont University is also in Nashville but does not play football) in Nashville.

George is one of the faces of Nashville being involved in the community through business after his Hall of Fame career was over. If anyone could sell the city to recruits, it is one of their favorite adopted sons.

Selling a significant city is a time-tested formula for some schools. When Pete Caroll took over at USC, he not only sold ‘SC, but Caroll also sold the city of Los Angeles and Hollywood. Caroll used every aspect of the glitz and glamour of “tinsel town.” There are so many aspects of coaching in a major metropolitan city you can sell to recruits.

If George can take advantage of the accessibility and amenities of Nashville, he could attract some high-level recruits.

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