LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears have conducted an interview with Eddie George, the head coach of Tennessee State and a former NFL running back who won the Heisman Trophy. This meeting took place on Sunday and is part of the Bears’ efforts to find a new head coach following the dismissal of Matt Eberflus after just 12 games this season. Thomas Brown has taken over in an interim role for the time being.
At 51 years old, George has compiled a record of 24 wins and 22 losses in his four seasons coaching at Tennessee State. Recently, he guided the Tigers to a share of the top spot in the OVC–Big South Football Association and secured a spot in the postseason. His impressive performance earned him the title of Big South-OVC coach of the year.
George’s interview marks him as the 17th candidate assessed by the Bears as they continue their thorough search for a new head coach. Other candidates being considered include Thomas Brown, Joe Brady, Pete Carroll, Brian Flores, Aaron Glenn, Ben Johnson, Mike Kafka, Mike McCarthy, Todd Monken, Drew Petzing, Ron Rivera, David Shaw, Arthur Smith, Adam Stenavich, Mike Vrabel, and Anthony Weaver.
Having received the Heisman Trophy in 1995, George is recognized as one of college football’s standout players and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011 following his successful career at Ohio State.
His NFL journey began when he was chosen as the 14th overall pick in the 1996 draft by the Houston Oilers, where he established multiple franchise records with the Tennessee Titans, including an impressive 10,009 rushing yards over eight seasons. George was awarded the 1996 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and earned an All-Pro selection in 2000. He also made four consecutive Pro Bowl appearances from 1997 to 2000 before concluding his playing career with a season in Dallas in 2004.
George took on the head coaching role at Tennessee State in 2021 and, during the 2023 offseason, he contributed to the Bears as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship.
