A Look Back, And Looking Forward, To “Eddie” At Bowling Green

Congratulations to 1995 Heisman Trophy and Ohio State legend Eddie George on being named the new head football coach at Bowling Green State University. George was the head coach at Tennessee State, and his 2024 team went 9-4, and won a Big South-OVC Football Association Championship.

As I wrote this up above, a couple of random thoughts went through my head ~

• I did write “1995 Heisman Trophy”
• How is it possible that 1995 was 30 years ago, when it truly feels so much closer in time when Eddie George was suiting up for the Buckeyes?!?

@AdamKing10TV had this interesting post that I had truly forgotten about Eddie George’s illustrious Ohio State career. Who could have possibly known that Eddie George’s first collegiate touchdown would be against the team that he would eventually become the head coach for in 33 years?

The contract details surrounding George’s hire at Bowling Green are interesting, as it includes a buyout for his Tennessee State contract, as well as various incentives that include winning a certain number of MAC games, winning the MAC, and post-season bowl game appearances. Although highly unlikely, Eddie George’s stated goals are “as of right now are to win the Battle of I-75, win the MAC and then go play for a national championship.” Nobody associated with BGSU football will ever be able to accuse Eddie George of not setting a high standard for the Falcons.

Highly instrumental in the hiring of Eddie George was former BGSU and former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer. BGSU athletic director Derek van der Merwe asked Meyer for names, and Meyer gave van der Merwe only one – Eddie George.

According to van der Merwe, he asked Meyer to “Give me names. Please give me as many names as you can…He said, ‘I have one name for you. I want you to talk to Eddie George. I said, ‘the Heisman Trophy winner, right?’ He says yeah. He says, ‘Don’t look at anything. Don’t read anything on him. Don’t read his background. Talk to him. Talk to the human being.’

“After meeting with Eddie George during the search process, it became very clear to me that Eddie checked every aspect of that profile that we created. Eddie is someone who cares about people, values personal growth and development. He defines himself by his ability to adapt, adjust, and have success in every aspect of his life.”

Eddie George will have his share of challenges, as BGSU will face a Big 12 opponent at Cincinnati on September 8th, an ACC opponent at Louisville on September 20th, as well as BGSU’s slate of MAC opponents. And in case you are curious, yes, Eddie George will have an opportunity to face Ohio State on September 4th, in the opener for the 2027 season. I have no doubt that the fans will still be chanting “Eddie” with love and respect, even if he is wearing the brown and orange of the Falcons.