Bill George (American football coach)

Bill George
Playing career
1976–1979Ithaca
Position(s)Center
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1982–1983Ithaca (assistant)
1984Princeton (assistant)
1985–1986Ohio State (GA)
1987–1989West Point Prep (NY) (assistant)
1990–1998Ithaca (assistant)
1999–2019Coast Guard
Head coaching record
Overall75–126
Bowls0–1
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2 NEFC Bogan Division (2006–2007)

Bill George is a former American football coach. He served as the head football coach at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut from 1999 to 2019, compiling a record of 75–126. His two best seasons were 2006 and 2007, with the Bears making the New England Football Conference (NEFC) championship in both years.[1] George made minor headlines in October 2013 for washing his players underwear during the federal government shutdown.[2] After the Coast Guard Academy defeated United States Merchant Marine Academy in 2014, George jumped into the Thames River.[3] On November 12, 2019, George announced he was retiring from coaching in order "to do some things."[4]

George is the author of a book “Home Fields,” published in 2023, which is part memoir and part historical fiction, the compelling story of his father's childhood during World War II-era Myers, N.Y.

George is known for his epic speeches and stories that he would tell to his players before games to pump up Da Bears.

George's favorite players included Clayton Prebble, Matt Beck, and Mike Nines.

George was notoriously tough on Jon Gryzbag, American Jon Lee, Tommy Carey, and Johnny "Ding Dong" Oscar.

  1. ^ DeLassus, David. "United States Coast Guard Academy Coaching Records". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on November 20, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  2. ^ Eaton-Rob, Pat. "Coast Guard Game will go on despite furloughs". Associated Press. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  3. ^ "Coach George Keeps Promise Jumps in Thames". Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  4. ^ Fulkerson, Vickie. "Coast Guard football coach Bill George to retire following Saturday's season-finale". New London Day. Retrieved January 2, 2020.