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sports Diabierna 26 november 2021

Schools reap benefits of hiring Coach Prime, Eddie George

(AP) — Deion Sanders has by OpenDorse. The SWAC
been all over national TV, also will be looking at both
putting Jackson State in attendance and TV ratings to
the spotlight every time see how that might translate
his insurance commer- into new packages and more
cials air. money.

Hiring Eddie George has had “Deion Sanders coaching
a similar effect at Tennessee has brought more notoriety
State. from a Jackson State per-
spective,” SWAC Commis-
Thanks to their high-profile sioner Charles McClelland
coaches, Jackson State and said. “Clearly, the conference
Tennessee State are reaping benefits because if they are
benefits from bigger crowds looking at Jackson State play-
and more interest from top ing another institution, that
recruits to companies want- other institution continues to
ing to tap into all the hype, get that benefit as well.”
making deals with both uni-
versities and players under Attendance is also up. With
the new name, image and Sanders, Jackson State aver-
likeness rules. aged 41,633 at home games
this season. That’s a jump of
Just as university officials 6,605 per game from 2019,
hoped. the last full season before the
pandemic and a year before draw 8,627 for a homecom- the Heisman Trophy playing
“It’s just reestablishing our Jackson State hired Sanders ing win over Murray State, That’s why Tennessee State at Ohio State, was linked to
football brand that was so in September 2020. but averaged 4,022 for four will be hiring a recruit- Akron, while Sanders report-
dominant for many decades home games. That’s down ing director and improving edly interviewed with Texas
and just restoring that,” Ten- Jackson State did not return from 8,787 averaged over equipment through a deal Christian while recovering
nessee State athletic director messages left by The Associ- seven games in 2019. with Under Armour. George from complications after foot
Mikki Allen said of George. ated Press seeking interviews wants offices, meeting rooms, surgery.
“He’s been everything that for this story. “The only way that I can get training rooms and a weight
I could ask for in a head people in the stands is to put room housed in one building The man known as Coach
coach.” Sanders’ son and starting a winning product on the to streamline operations and Prime said never believe ru-
quarterback, Shedeur, got his field,” George said. “That’s save crucial time. mors, especially when he’s
Allen said Tennessee State’s own endorsement deal with it. I mean, of course, I was been in a hospital after com-
enrollment already is up, and Beats by Dre. On the field, disappointed in the fact that Sanders and George have plications from foot surgery.
four-and five-star recruits Sanders has Jackson State we didn’t have fans, but that’s been successful enough to Sanders said TCU and others
are looking closely at George (10-1) playing in the South- due to the lack of success. So have their names surface for are interested in what they’re
and the Tigers. Tennessee western Athletic Conference I have to do my part.” other jobs. George, who won doing at Jackson State.
State hosted 317 recruits one championship game on Dec.
weekend. 4. Tennessee State (5-6) just
wrapped up its season.
Tennessee State has had cor-
porate interest from compa- “This is a tremendous feat,”
nies including The General, Sanders said on a recent
Best Buy and bottling spon- SWAC coaches’ call. “People
sor Coca-Cola. A six-figure just thought we were joking
gift from trucking company when I said we believe, but
Western Express started a we really believe without a
new weight room project for shadow of a doubt.”
the indoor complex.
The Pro Football Hall of
The Tigers also have part- Fame cornerback had a head
nered with OpenDorse to start on George, going 4-3
help athletes who’ve signed earlier this year in the pan-
deals with restaurants, ven- demic-delayed spring season.
dors, barbershops and cell George was hired in mid-
phones on handling name, April to revive a program
image and likeness issues. with 13 Black national cham-
Allen said brands wanting to pionships after three straight
tap into George’s star power losing seasons, including 2-5
is transferring to his players. last spring. He guided the
Tigers to their longest win-
“There’s a lot of brands who ning streak since 2016, four
want to be connected, obvi- straight Ohio Valley Confer-
ously, to our head coach,” Al- ence wins for the first time
len said. “But then I think a since 2013 and their best re-
lot of that star power that he cord since 2017 at 5-6.
has has transferred over to
our student athletes in the The enthusiasm around
sport of football.” George has not translated
into a boost in attendance
The Southwestern Athletic for Tennessee State. Its larg-
Conference, home to Jackson est crowd was in Memphis as
State, ranked 17th nation- part of the Southern Heritage
ally through Oct. 31 among Classic against Jackson State
leagues for NIL deals tracked and Sanders. The Tigers did