Retired Pro Bowl RB Eddie George won his first game as head coach at Bowling Green State University last weekend but so did NFL alum Reggie Barlow, his successor at Tennessee State University (TSU).
George, who had a successful four-year run at Tennessee State before moving to Bowling Green in Ohio last March, led his new club to a 26-7 win over Lafayette last Thursday.
“This is a great opportunity to coach here at Bowling Green,” the 51-year old George said postgame. “I saw Ohio State teammates at the game whom I had not seen in years plus former Buckeye coaches John Cooper, Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer attended the game. I’m so full of gratitude for this sport and everything special about the kids and the university.”
Barlow, 53, also won his first game at TSU in Nashville after being a college head coach at Alabama State and Virginia State earlier in his career. Barlow inherited only 47 players when he was named TSU head coach last March but has recruited and built a full roster of 108 players since that time.
The TSU Tigers were trailing 14-10 at halftime against North Carolina A&T but won 24-21. A blocked field goal on the last play of the game preserved the victory.
“I’m just proud of our guys for staying in the fight when things looked like they were not going to work in our favor,” Barlow said in the winning locker room. “We found a way to stay even keel and continue to work. We played like a team even though we haven’t been together that long.”
Our Alumni brothers Eddie George and Reggie Barlow have work ahead of them at their new schools but both individuals started on the right path in the season openers.
We at NFL Alumni wish them much success with their new programs.
