Eddie George's TSU success no shock for Jeff Fisher, ex-Tennessee Titans teammates

Eddie George didn't have coaching experience when he became Tennessee State’s football coach in 2021.

That’s why some doubted George's ability, his athletic feats be damned, to turn the Tigers into winners. Some still doubt the Tennessee Titans running back great and voice their frustration on social media as the reason they don’t show up for games.

But one group − George’s former Titans teammates − never questioned his ability to be successful on the sidelines and is confident the Tigers’ 5-2 start is a sign he has them on their way to becoming winners.

A win Saturday (2 p.m. CT, ESPN+) against Big South/OVC opponent Lindenwood (3-4, 1-2) at Nissan Stadium would secure the Tigers’ first winning record in six years and only the eighth since 2000.

Jeff Fisher now prefers HBCU football over the NFL

Former Titans coach Jeff Fisher says he has three sons − biological sons Brandon Fisher, who is TSU's defensive coordinator, and Trent Fisher along with George, his adopted son.

When George got the TSU job, Fisher spent the first year on his staff as a senior advisor. Fisher is no longer on the staff, but his connection with George has changed the manner in which Fisher, who played in the NFL and spent 22 seasons as an NFL coach, views football today.

"This past Thursday there was a lot of stuff going on on television, with Thursday Night Football and all that's going on in the Middle East and all kinds of things," Fisher said. "But I went to HBCU television and watched North Carolina Central and Morgan State. I'm drawn to it just because of this."

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Blaine Bishop: Eddie George knows success

Blaine Bishop spent six seasons as George's teammate with the Titans/Oilers and one thing Bishop learned early on was that George can make anything successful.

"A player like Eddie George, and not just on the field but his acumen off the field, dictated he was going to be good at whatever he decided to do," Bishop said. "Sometimes those freak-of-nature athletes like Eddie are really not great coaches typically because they rely so much on their talents and their gifts and never really had to put in the effort like a poor man's player like myself. I thought Eddie would do well because he was different; he had that workman-like attitude."

Bishop said George was usually the first player to show up for meetings, practices and other team functions and the last to leave, which proved he did not take his success for granted.

George still wears a band on his right wrist with letters F.I.L.O., which stands for first in, last out.

"He puts tons of work in no matter what he's doing whether it's being a coach or a professor at Ohio State or with his acting or as a financial advisor," Bishop said. "He's been all over the place and had success in everything he's done. He's very gifted, very astute and a very sharp guy."

Brad Hopkins says all that mattered was Eddie George knew football

Some wondered if George's success as a player would translate to his success as a coach, but former Titans offensive tackle Brad Hopkins never did.

Hopkins spent seven years blocking for George on George's way to becoming the Titans' all-time leading rusher and picked up right away on George's love and knowledge of the game.

"I understand you need to have experience to be a really good coach but Eddie knows football," Hopkins said. "That's something that allows him to inspire those players that he's coaching. He's also assembled a staff that can teach these young men how to play the game. The connections he had when it came to hiring coaches, you knew, were going to be a key to his success."

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Along with Brandon Fisher, George's staff includes former Titans linebacker and NFL assistant coach Joe Bowden, former NFL defensive lineman and assistant coach Clyde Simmons, and former Ohio State offensive lineman and NFL assistant Michael Brewster. Veteran NFL coach Hue Jackson spent one season as George's offensive coordinator before becoming the coach at Grambling.

Chris Sanders says players feel Eddie George's spirit

Chris Sanders and Eddie George became teammates at Ohio State in 1992 and remained teammates with the Titans/Oilers through 2001.

After talking with George soon after George was named TSU's coach, Sanders could hardly wait to see him in action. Sanders said George had a solid plan, which Sanders was sure would be successful.

"After talking to Eddie, he said, 'When we mentor these guys, I want them to feel my spirit,'" Sanders said. "'I want them to be hard workers, accountable and coachable.' I knew that if he got that across to these young guys, which he has, he would be successful."

George and Sanders reunited in 2022 when Sanders joined the TSU radio broadcast as an analyst.

Eddie George is on schedule with Tennessee State

George's hire with no previous coaching experience was unconventional. But TSU athletic director Mikki Allen remained confident George was the person for the job.

Even after the Tigers lost their last three games and blew the chance to win the OVC title in George's first season, and after the Tigers were upset by Lane College in his second season, Allen was still convinced he had hired the right person.

Now that TSU has won five of its last six games, is tied for third in Big South/OVC and receiving votes in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 poll, Allen has the proof to make others believe what he has known all along.

"Eddie is really right where he's supposed to be in terms of rebuilding this team," Allen said.

"He took over a roster in which he had to recruit athletes to run his system. I thought last year's recruiting class was right there and this one this year has a lot of talent. You can't win without the Jimmys and Joes. You can have Xs and Os but you have to have the talent that fits what you're trying to do. We're sitting here at 5-2 and it's phenomenal."

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why former Titans applaud job Eddie George has done at Tennessee State