BOWLING GREEN — The Eddie George era has officially started for Bowling Green State University’s football program, and the Falcons have hit the ground running.

Two weeks after the former Heisman Trophy-winning running back at Ohio State and four-time NFL Pro Bowl selection took over as BGSU’s head coach, the Falcons have had multiple spring practices with the players and new coaching staff. George has been impressed with the team’s football IQ and how the players have approached each day.

“The things that you can control — the attitude, the effort, the focus — have all been there. Their willingness to learn has all been there,” George said after Tuesday’s practice at Perry Field House. “This is a team that’s been well-coached, they’ve won a lot of ball games. I think they were on the verge of doing something special.

“A relatively young team, we’ve got to find some answers at key positions, and we’ll continue to do that. But for the most part, the foundation of this team is pretty rock solid.”

A lot of faces that made their mark on the gridiron while playing numerous seasons under previous head coach Scot Loeffler are gone. Most completed their eligibility and are hoping to continue their careers at the next level.

A significant number of younger players, who have seen success recently with BGSU making bowl appearances in each of the past three seasons and posting winning campaigns the past two, are hungry to prove what they are capable of. That is making George excited for the future.

“This team loves football, they love to compete, they approach the day with a great deal of energy,” George said. “They hang on every word that you say.

“They want to be out there, and I think that’s the part that I’m most pleased with. When you can have that, you have a lot to work with.”

George said the No. 1 thing he and his staff need to work on during the spring is getting to know the players and spending time with them. Building team chemistry is something he is looking forward to.

The good part in that regard? A lot of the players have already built camaraderie and have formed meaningful relationships during their time in northwest Ohio.

“Our team, I’ve never had chemistry like this team with any other team that I’ve been on,” BGSU sophomore quarterback Lucian Anderson III said. “So I feel like that’s not even going to be an issue right there.

“I feel like our team, we’re so close together, we’re bonded together. We’re together on and off the field, so chemistry’s going to be great.”

Among the 36 returning letterwinners and veteran leaders is Toledo native and senior running back PaSean Wimberly, who looked crisp during drills and 11-on-11 situations. A standout on special teams, as well, Wimberly missed all of last season with an injury.

“It feels amazing to be back out on the field,” Wimberly said. “Obviously, recovering from that injury from last season, so getting back out on the field in the spring and moving around with my boys, it’s a blessing. I’m excited for the season, for my team, and myself.”

What is it like having someone of George’s pedigree as their head coach?

“I would say that’s another blessing, and it’s a higher standard, so obviously everything we do, we’ve got to be detailed,” Wimberly said. “Having that knowledge of what he did in his time when he was playing … It’s a real honor to have him as our coach and our head coach.”

George has also solidified his coaching staff, with most of his assistants either being those he worked with at Tennessee State or those who have been with BGSU.

Several assistants who worked with George at his previous gig stand out.

Brandon Fisher, the son of former NFL coach Jeff Fisher, will be the Falcons’ associate head coach and defensive coordinator. Former NFL standout Clyde Simmons, a two-time first-team All-Pro defensive end for the Eagles during a 15-year professional career, will be the defensive line coach.

Richard McNutt, a former Ohio State cornerback and a member of the Buckeyes’ 2002 national championship team, will be the secondary coach. Former NFL linebacker Joe Bowden will coach his respective position.

“This was not an easy process, and let me just say there were elite coaches that I had to pick and choose from. I had to put together the right mix to where we are right now,” George said. “At the end of the season, we’ll look at that and see how that looks moving forward.

“Things always happen, but it was a good and a bad thing because there’s some really great coaches that I had to pick and choose from. But in terms of where we need to go and what I envision for this program moving forward, I think I’ve got the right guys in the building for that.”

Although the new era of BGSU football is in its initial stages, the excitement level and eagerness to get things rolling is high.

“I’d rate it off the charts,” Anderson said. “We’re excited, we’re ready.

“We’re just ready to go out there and work. That’s all we’re trying to do, just work and show everybody what we have.”

First Published March 25, 2025, 7:20 p.m.