After Acknowledging Urban Meyer’s Major Role, Eddie George Credits NFL Rival for $3M Bowling Green Move

College football coaching can feel like an impromptu expedition where the familiar sounds of whistles and sights of Gatorade are constants, but the individuals suddenly calling the plays might just be someone who seemingly appeared out of left field. We’re talking Bill Belichick leading the Tar Heels and Michael Vick becoming the legendary savior of Norfolk State. But the real head-scratcher? Eddie George landing at Bowling Green thanks to a series of events so bizarre, you’d think the Chicago Bears accidentally tripped and sent him there.

That’s right. Before Bowling Green offered George the keys to the Falcons football program in a $3 million deal, the retired NFL star and Heisman winner was actually in the mix for the Chicago Bears’ head coach job. Yep, that Chicago Bears—the same franchise he once lined up against on Sundays. And while George didn’t get the gig, it ended up being the interview that changed everything.

Eddie George admitted as much on the Fox Sports Radio Official show with Jay Glazer when asked how much that NFL interview helped elevate his name and readiness. “A lot. It prepared me for this moment,” George said. “You know we talked about it. I called you know, just to figure out, okay, what is this really about. And I wasn’t trying to be somebody’s pawn and all that stuff and the Rooney Rule and all that. But you were like no dude, you got to do it. You have to do it. You must do it. And the experience was invaluable, man.”

George got grilled in that three-hour interview—from Xs and Os to salary cap 101—and admits he turned into a “sponge,” soaking up every bit of intel from the Bears brass. And although he walked out without an offer, the experience exposed his strengths and weaknesses, fast-tracked his development as a leader, and ultimately positioned him for the unexpected Bowling Green call.

Let’s not forget—George wasn’t some flashy name with no resume. At Tennessee State, he built a gritty, battle-tested squad over four seasons, finishing with a 24–22 record and going 13–12 in conference play. Most recently, he led the Tigers to a 9–4 campaign and a share of the Big South-OVC title in 2024. That run landed him in the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year conversation—despite not having a pristine win-loss tally. But Bowling Green saw the full package. They saw the potential, not just the numbers. But that Bears interview?

“Whether I could have got the job or not, it showed me like okay here are the areas where I can improve in, and here’s an area where I’m really strong,” George explained. “Ironically it prepared me for this opportunity at Bowling Green that came out of nowhere in terms of the interview.”

And that $3 million move? It became the real-world validation of all that failed interview prep. The Bears might’ve shut the door, but they handed George the blueprint to bust through the next one. But it’s not just Bears….here comes the unexpected Urban Meyer push.

A timely text and a divine signal for Eddie George

As surreal as the Bears chapter was, the final push into Bowling Green wasn’t delivered by an NFL exec—it came from Urban Meyer. Yep, the former Ohio State and Jaguars coach—who started his head coaching career at Bowling Green—played an undercover role in helping George make the jump.

Eddie George said he wasn’t even actively looking for another job. He was finishing out his deal at Tennessee State, laser-focused on building what he started. But sometimes fate hits you with a blinking neon sign. In this case? A literal road sign and a message from Urban.

“I asked God, maybe three weeks ago, you know, ‘Give me a sign of what’s next. Give me a sign of what’s next,’” George shared. “I promise you, this is exactly what happened—as I’m driving back from Indianapolis from the combine, driving through Bowling Green, Kentucky… I see the sign, Bowling Green, and I looked down on my phone. It said, ‘Message from Urban Meyer,’ talking about, are you interested in the Bowling Green job? And I put the phone down, I was like, ‘Oh boy. What are you trying to say?’”

That moment became the start of what George called a week-long deep dive into whether this was his next chapter. He called coaches. Talked to his wife. Checked in with his son. And eventually, walked in faith.

“So I would say, ‘If I get it, great, I’m going to go and give it my all and turn this program, not turn this program around, but elevate it to the other level. Or I’m going to go back to Tennessee State and finish the season off strong and let the chips fall where they may. And I live with that.’” Turns out, the chips fell exactly where they were meant to: Bowling Green, Ohio. With Meyer’s endorsement and the Bears’ experience in his back pocket, George landed the gig.

George isn’t walking into Bowling Green with a chip on his shoulder—he’s walking in with a plan. The same guy who once took handoffs for the Tennessee Titans is now drawing up blueprints to elevate a program ready for its next chapter. And he credits the Bears—yes, the NFL rival—for getting him here. A failed shot at the league became a test run that refined his leadership, vision, and confidence. That $3 million hire wasn’t about flash. It was about fit. And thanks to a Bears detour and a divine Meyer ping, Eddie George found his coaching destiny where few expected.

“If I get it, great… I’m going to give it my all.” He got it. And now Bowling Green’s riding shotgun on Eddie George’s next big play.