With Saturdays vacant, college football fans get their fix from a couple of its ancillary offshoots. Whatever your outlook on the dynamic shift it’s brought about, the transfer portal at least helps fill the air between January and spring. But the portal is now shut for the foreseeable, and National Signing Day is also in the rearview mirror. The drama in CFB never ceases, though. The coaching carousel is always revolving, and it picks up speed this time of year. With just one year left on NFL vet Eddie George’s contract as head coach of Tennessee State and talks over an extension stagnating, he knew his time to hop onto this proverbial carousel was beckoning. But a fated turn of events, which he’s now shed light on, means he’s left prematurely.

Ohio State alum and HOFer Eddie George has been hired as the new HC of the Bowling Green Falcons. He succeeds Scot Loeffler, who’s moved to the pros to become the Philadelphia Eagles’ QB coach. Leaving FCS school Tennessee State, who could never quite match George’s ambitions with the requisite resources, for a job in the FBS makes sense. But how this move came about for Eddie George serves as a bit of a litmus test between atheists and those who believe in a higher power. The stars aligned quite perfectly when George received news of Bowling Green’s interest in him.

Eddie George guested on The Triple Option podcast, hosted by fellow Heisman-winning running back Mark Ingram II, legendary Buckeyes’ HC Urban Meyer, and broadcaster Rob Stone. He leveraged the story of how a tryst with destiny led him to the Falcons. George mentioned him being at the Draft Combine over in Indy prior to the dominoes falling. He stated he saw news of Scot Loeffler’s move to Philly on TV in his hotel room there. Fast forward to him driving back to Nashville and Tennessee State when he receives a text from Coach Meyer. The timing of this text, as we learn, can only be described as perfect.

Eddie George reminisced, “I’m driving back and literally, swear to God, I said ‘God, show me a sign. What do I need to do for next year to prepare.’ Right now, I’m in the last year of my deal, not hearing much talk from Tennessee State.” An epiphany can come knocking at absolutely any time. George claims he was driving past a small town in Kentucky named ‘Bowling Green’ right as he relayed his message to God. He then proceeded to say, “I look down at my phone, and I see Urban [Meyer] text me. He says, ‘Hey, would you be interested in the Bowling Green job?’” Now, we’ve heard about the power of manifestation and prayer. But Eddie George just took things to 11! He then expanded on his discussion with coach Meyer. As well as acknowledging his role in facilitating the opportunity.

“You get an endorsement from Urban Meyer. You have to take that call. You’ve gotta explore,” said George. He also made it a point to mention the job wasn’t simply “given” to him and that he had to contend with 28 other candidates. Eddie George got hired on his own merit. After all, he did muster a respectable 24-22 record during his Tennessee State stint. Which reads better when you contextualize the underlying issues with the program. That said, George gave props to Coach Meyer for hooking him up.

“It’s all due to Urban Meyer that I’m sitting in this seat right now. Because he gave me a vote of confidence that it was a good opportunity,” he said. This whole ordeal initially stemmed from a phone call that even took Meyer by surprise. Coach relayed his own account of how things transpired from the beginning of the hiring process.

Urban Meyer’s endorsement of Eddie George came about very fortunately in itself

Eddie George needed to iron out any doubts and garner reassurance before jumping ship. To make sure he was walking into an environment conducive to the growth of both players and himself. You may be wondering how Urban Meyer became an intermediary in this relationship. Despite being head coach of Bowling Green for a couple of seasons just after the turn of the century, Meyer interestingly had no links with the school’s AD whatsoever. 

“I want to clarify that when Derek [van der Merwe], the athletic director, gave me a call, I didn’t know him. Never met him before!” remarked Urban Meyer. Well, Eddie George sure will be glad this wasn’t shunned off. The AD asked Meyer for suitable candidates he’d recommended. The coach then stated he asked van der Merwe for an hour to process the massive responsibility he was bestowing on a stranger, albeit a fellow CFB savant. A eureka moment of sorts came about, and Urban Meyer knew George was the ideal fit. He was the top suggestion, and eventually, getting hired proves he was the right one, too.

There’s little more that Eddie George can earn in terms of reverence. He’s a legend of the game across both rungs of the football ladder. A multi-time Pro-Bowler and a Heisman winner. But reputation and reverence don’t buy bread. George has signed on a 5-year deal worth a cool $600k each season, taking the sum to $3 million during its entirety. Now, it’s time for him to reciprocate this trust and value with his coaching acumen. He could do worse than picking coach Meyer’s brain now that he’s brokered a relationship. In some ways, Meyer’s own rep is on the line.