The Chicago Bears are maintaining their focus on the college ranks as they search for the franchise’s 19th head coach. On Sunday, Tennessee State head coach Eddie George sat down for an in-person interview, becoming the third candidate to do so as part of the Bears’ ongoing search.
George, a former NFL running back, is among the 16 candidates the Bears have interviewed thus far, with former Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy and former Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera also meeting with the team recently.
George, 51, was hired as head coach of Tennessee State in 2021. Over four seasons, he has posted a 24-22 record. His most recent season saw the Tigers finish with a 9-4 record, securing a spot in the FCS playoffs. George was named the Big South/Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year for his efforts in 2024.
The Bears got to know George in 2023 when he served as a Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellow during OTAs, spending 15 days with the team.
As an NFL player, George was the 1996 NFL Rookie of the Year and spent nine seasons as a running back for the Tennessee Titans. He appeared in nine playoff games and made 128 consecutive starts, becoming only the second NFL running back to rush for 10,000 yards while never missing a start, joining the legendary Jim Brown.
The Bears’ busy weekend of interviews continued with virtual meetings on Friday with Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady. On Saturday, they interviewed Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich.
Chicago has also expressed interest in Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Reports from ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicated that the Bears reached out to inquire about Tomlin, hoping to explore a trade potentially, but the Steelers rebuffed their request.
This search complies with the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which requires teams to conduct in-person interviews with at least two diverse candidates for head coaching positions.
On Monday, the Bears can begin in-person interviews with head coaching candidates employed by other NFL teams. Chicago previously spoke with Detroit Lions coordinators Ben Johnson (offensive coordinator) and Aaron Glenn (defensive coordinator) during the Lions’ first-round bye, and they are now allowed to conduct in-person interviews with them following the Lions’ divisional-round loss to the Washington Commanders.
