The Deion Sanders model at Jackson State is too early to gauge its success — except in raising the profile of the school and its football program.
Tennessee State University, located in Nashville, is on the verge of following the same path, sources have told FootballScoop.
Per multiple sources with knowledge of proceedings, TSU officials checked interest in former NFL stars without prior head coaching experience to potentially lead the Tigers’ football program and settled on a prominent Nashville resident.
Namely, per multiple sources with knowledge including HBCU college coaches, former Tennessee Titans legendary running back Eddie George is expected to be named TSU's next head coach, barring any unforeseen snags. Stadium's Brett McMurphy also reported that George was in line to be the next TSU head coach.
George is in the Titans’ Ring of Honor and also is one of the franchise’s few players to see his jersey number, 27, retired.
George has remained a Nashville resident since he returned from the NFL after eight seasons with the Titans' franchise and one year in Dallas.
George's youngest son, Eriq Michael George, is in school at Nashville's Montgomery Bell Academy, a renowned private institution and prep football powerhouse that has produced, among others, Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea, North Carolina running back Ty Chandler and University of Tennessee offensive lineman Jackson Lampley.
Rod Reed is TSU's current head coach, finishing up his 11th season atop the program. The Tigers are 2-4 this season entering their final regular-season game this afternoon. They've won just 5 games in their last 18 contests. Reed's son, Marcel Reed, also is a standout player at MBA and is a Class of 2023 quarterback prospect.