Reggie Barlow has been hired as Eddie George’s replacement as the Tennessee State football coach.
George, a former Tennessee Titans All-Pro running back, resigned after four seasons on March 9 to become the coach at Bowling Green State. He led TSU to a 9-4 record, a share of the Big South/Ohio Valley Conference championship and the FCS playoffs this past season.
Barlow, 53, is a Mongtomery, Alabama, native who resigned Saturday as coach of the DC Defenders of the UFL.
Barlow is expected to bring many of the members of his Defenders staff with him to TSU.
A press conference to officially introduce Barlow is scheduled for Monday at 11 a.m. CT at Nissan Stadium.
“Unbelievable! The chance to be at Tennessee State University, with its rich history, tradition, and legacy of amazing players and coaches − it’s truly an honor to follow in their footsteps,” Barlow said in a release. “I’m humbled, blessed, and beyond excited. A huge thank you to director of athletics Dr. Mikki Allen, President (Dwayne) Tucker, and the student-athletes who have remained committed through uncertainty. And to Big Blue, I’m ready to get started.”
Barlow played wide receiver and on special teams at Alabama State and was a fourth round NFL Draft pick in 1996 of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He spent four season in Jacksonville before going on to play for the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Barlow had 39 career catches for 522 yards and one touchdown. He also returned 80 kickoffs for 1,855 yards and a touchdown and 158 punts for 1,639 yards and two touchdowns.
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Barlow played in Super Bowl XXXVII in the 2002 season when Tampa Bay defeated Oakland.
“Reggie Barlow’s appointment as the head football coach of TSU is a testament to his dedication to the game of football and his deep-rooted passion for developing young athletes,” Allen said. “With a rich legacy as a player and coach, Barlow is poised to lead the TSU football program to new heights, building a culture of excellence and success that will benefit both the players and the university for years to come.”
After retiring from the NFL in 2003, Barlow returned to Alabama State as quarterbacks coach for two seasons before being named the head coach in 2007.
After eight seasons as the coach at Alabama State, where he posted a 49-42 record and won three Southwestern Athletic Conference East division titles, Barlow was the coach at Virginia State (2016-21). He led the Trojans to their first undefeated season in 2017, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship and was named the CIAA coach of the year.
In 2023, Barlow became coach of the DC Defenders and led the franchise to a 9-1 record and a championship game appearance. Former TSU quarterback and offensive coordinator Shannon Harris has been named interim head coach.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TSU football hires Reggie Barlow to replace Eddie George as coach
