Tennessee State has found their man to replace Eddie George.
Reggie Barlow, most recently head coach of the United Football League’s D.C. Defenders, resigned late Saturday to accept the Tigers’ football job, according to a report from PFNewsroom. Barlow replaces George, who left on March 8 to accept the same position at FBS member Bowling Green.
Football Scoop previously reported Barlow was considered a top candidate for the job.
Barlow, a former NFL wide receiver who played college ball at Alabama State, has extensive HBCU experience. He coached his alma mater for eight seasons, collecting 49 wins against 42 losses and a share of three SWAC East titles.
He moved on to Virginia State in 2016, where he won the CIAA title in 2017. Barlow led the Defenders to the then-XFL title game in 2023 with a 9-1 record. The Defenders went 4-6 in the reborn UFL in 2024.
Barlow’s hire ends a search that included an unfounded rumor that Jeff Fisher was selected as his former player’s successor. Fisher, who served as a consultant with the program in 2021, denied that rumor in a statement Friday morning, saying he was committed to his role as Arena Football’s new comissioner.
Barlow takes over a Tennessee State program that won a share of the Big South-OVC title in 2024 and made the school’s first FCS playoff appearance since 2013.
