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Buckeyes legend using Ohio State connections at Tennessee State

Nakos updated headshotby:Pete Nakos•06/20/21•

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Eddie George - Birm

COLUMBUS — Eddie George dominated Big Ten defenses in the mid-1990s.

Now he is building a coaching staff to win in the Ohio Valley Conference. The former Ohio State running back and Heisman Trophy winner was named the next head coach at Tennessee State in April. His attention has now shifted to finalizing his coaching staff, and he’s leaning on his Ohio State roots.

Former Ohio State defensive back Richard McNutt was hired as secondary coach on Wednesday while former Buckeyes running back Pepe Pearson is taking over in the running backs room.

“Make no mistake, we expect to win football games at Tennessee State University, but our ultimate goal is to prepare our current and future student-athletes for life,” George recently said. “I’m looking forward to the impact our coaches will have on Tennessee State University and the Nashville community.”

Pepe Pearson-Ohio State Buckeyes-Ohio State football

Ohio State running back Pepe Pearson rushed for a career-high 173 yards at Notre Dame in 1996. (Getty)

The No. 10 all-time rusher in Ohio State history, Pearson played in Columbus from 1994 to 1997. George’s backup his first two seasons, Pearson’s best year came in 1996. Best remembered for his 173-yard rushing performance in the Buckeyes win at Notre Dame, he finished the season with 1,484 yards on 299 carries and 17 touchdowns. Before taking the now role at Tennessee State, he served as the running backs coach at Marshall for four years.

McNutt was a cornerback and special teams player during his time in Columbus, playing in every game in the 2000 and 2001 season. He started the first six games of the 2002 national championship campaign before an ankle injury derailed his career. He finished out his career at Ohio State in 2003 in a student-assistant role, focused on cornerbacks and special teams as the Buckeyes went 11-2 and won the Fiesta Bowl. McNutt has coached defensive backs at Southeastern University, Youngstown State, Toledo, Kent State and Northern Illinois since leaving Columbus.

Eddie George takes over for Ron Reed, who spent 11 seasons at Tennessee State. A Historically Black College and University, the standard in Nashville is winning Black College National Championships.

The College Football Hall of Fame member knows the formula worked in Columbus. He’s now hoping he can revamp it with his Ohio State-heavy coaching staff at Tennessee State.

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