Tennessee State coach Eddie George tells Deion Sanders how he will navigate newfound challenge

Tennessee State head coach Eddie George joined Deion Sanders and Jamie Dukes on the “twenty first and Prime” podcast to handle his plans as he takes over this system.

Talking candidly and at size for the primary time since being employed as head coach final month, George touched on all kinds of subjects. He went into element about how Tennessee State officers approached him relating to the job and his preliminary reluctance to think about, how he reached out to NFL coaches for recommendation, and his plan to revive this system.

George first addressed how he went from businessman and performing arts to a school coach.

“I get a name from Glenda Glover the president of Tennessee State who I have already got a enterprise working relationship with my wealth administration firm,” mentioned George, who was below the impression that the varsity would ask for a donation.

The cellphone name rapidly changed into a proposition of one thing even better — an unprompted supply to teach.

“I seemed on the cellphone and thought, ‘That’s why y’all hold dropping as a result of y’all understand I’ve by no means coached,’” joked George. “I put the cellphone down and mentioned, ‘That’s some BS proper there. They’re attempting to do the entire Prime Time factor.’ Prime (Sanders) coached. He’s has a training background. He’s been doing it for some time at the highschool stage, so he’s well-positioned to do this.”

After mulling over the prospect along with his household, George mentioned he reached out to the likes of present NFL and faculty coaches corresponding to Mike Tomlin, Herm Edwards, Mike Vrabel, and Luke Fickle to “give me a contemporary perspective” on what he was getting himself into.

On April 11, it was reported that Tennessee State had named him the varsity’s subsequent soccer coach.

“Generally it takes for any person to see one thing in you that you just don’t see your self,” mentioned George. “And I needed to hearken to that honor that and undergo the train of, ‘Okay, if I’m going to do it, what does it appear like so I did my due diligence.’”

And that work, mentioned George, was to carry out an accounting of what the soccer program wanted to compete not solely within the Ohio Valley Convention however on a nationwide stage, too.

Additionally learn: HBCU Sports activities Unique: Interview with Tennessee State athletics director Dr. Mikki Allen

That included wanting on the budgets of FCS powers James Madison and North Dakota State, faculties he known as “the usual” to find out the place Tennessee State stood.

George has developed what he described as a 30, 60, 90-day plan the place he’ll consider this system from an outsider’s perspective earlier than making any grand declarations.

“I need to go in and hear and perceive first what’s wanted,” mentioned George, who has lived within the Nashville space for almost a quarter-century. “Who’re the precious individuals who give me data and assist me navigate by means of this enterprise and alternative.

“It’s a special tradition. I’ve to embrace and honor that and present appreciation for that.”

George, who has numerous professional soccer and enterprise connections, was requested how can these relationships cultivated through the years assist Tennessee State within the speedy future.

He reached out to NFL government Troy Vincent for steerage previous to taking the job and realized {that a} partnership could possibly be solid.

And he mentioned, ‘Simply FYI when you go down this path, these are issues that we may help you with,’” mentioned George. “By way of infrastructure, by way of tools; see what’s wanted — do a fast onerous audit of the issues that you just want within the first 30 days and we’ll assist present that.”

Not misplaced on George was that his workforce will face Sanders as an opponent on Sept. 11. Will probably be George’s second-ever sport as head coach following the season opener versus Grambling State on Sept. 3.

The sport, he mentioned, will likely be one thing he “appears to be like ahead to” and one he hopes will deliver nationwide consideration to HBCUs.

“I see this imaginative and prescient of getting (ESPN Faculty) Gameday in Memphis speaking in regards to the respective faculties and respective packages,” mentioned George. “Speaking about Eddie Robinson and a number of the nice coaches in HBCU historical past and 70,000 followers being within the stands.

“It’s a beautiful alternative for us to focus on the packages and spotlight the schools and what they’re identified for.”