The Chicago Bears head coaching search took an unexpected turn with the news that the team would interview former Tennesee Titans running back and current Tennessee State head coach Eddie George.
George, who spent nine years in the NFL, is also a “local guy” of sorts, receiving his MBA from Northwestern.
Eddie George Emerges as Bears HC Candidate After TSU Turnaround
Record: 24-22
Playoff Record: 0-1
Bears Thinking Outside The Box With Eddie George Interview
George took over at TSU in 2021 and went 5-6 in his first season. After two more seasons of building – going 4-7 and then 6-5 – George’s Tigers went 9-4, earning the program’s first FCS Playoff berth since 2013.
They were defeated by the Montana Grizzlies in the opening round of the postseason.
There is not much coaching experience to go on for George, whose arrival at Tennessee State followed that of Deion Sanders at Jackson State by one year.
Sanders has since moved on to Colorado. But he has also been a surging name in speculation about NFL head coaching jobs and was linked to the Dallas Cowboys HC chair vacated by Mike McCarthy.
Sanders is said to be an unlikely interview, let alone hire, for the Cowboys.
However, the NFL is a copycat league, and the search for the “next” Sanders – before the real one has even stepped foot back into the league as a coach – could include George.
George is a direct communicator, who is not afraid to ruffle feathers. In 2023, George called out the lack of fan support for his team amid their 4-2 start. He suggested then that some may not have approved of his hire.
The Tigers went 6-2 before finishing the campaign with three straight losses.
This past season showed the 2023 season surge was only the beginning though. How his methods would transfer to the NFL level could be another story entirely.
Bears Raise Eyebrows With Eddie George Interview
In addition to his MBA from Northwestern, George also pursued a career in acting between his playing days and coaching. After making his Broadway debut in 2016, George starred as “Billy Flynn” for the national touring company “Chicago” in 2019, per Forbes’ Jeff Arnold.
Moreover, he performed the play in the titular city. His wife is also Tamara Johnson-George, one-third of the 90s R&B group, SWV.
None of that impacts his ability to coach, which is why his interview has raised eyebrows.
There simply is not enough of a track record to go on for George. With as much as the Bears have on the line – Caleb Williams, a veteran-laden roster that expected to compete last season, their own jobs – taking such a leap of faith would be foolhardy.
The hope is Bears are not simply using George to check a box and satisfy the Rooney Rule. NFL front offices found ways around long ago.
They have already interviewed several other external minority candidates.
However, they must conduct two in-person sessions to be in compliance. It is an unusual decision, especially so late in a process that already has so many candidates involved. In addition to fact-finding, though, some candidates could find themselves on the shortlist for coordinators this cycle or in the future.