Reggie Barlow Appointed Tennessee State Football Coach

Reggie Barlow has been appointed as the new head football coach at Tennessee State University, succeeding Eddie George who left to coach Bowling Green State. Barlow, 53, has a commendable coaching background, having led the D.C. Defenders to a 9-1 record and a championship game appearance in the XFL, earning him the XFL Coach of the Year award in 2023. Before his tenure at the Defenders, Barlow coached at Alabama State and Virginia State, guiding the latter to an unbeaten season in 2017 and earning CIAA Coach of the Year honors. His NFL career included playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with whom he won Super Bowl XXXVII. Barlow expressed his excitement and honor to join Tennessee State, known for its rich football history, and is expected to bring several staff members from the Defenders with him. Shannon Harris, previously the Defenders' quarterbacks coach, will serve as their interim head coach.