Bill George | |
Player Years1: | 1976–1979 |
Player Team1: | Ithaca |
Player Positions: | Center |
Coach Years1: | 1982–1983 |
Coach Team1: | Ithaca (assistant) |
Coach Years2: | 1984 |
Coach Team2: | Princeton (assistant) |
Coach Years3: | 1985–1986 |
Coach Team3: | Ohio State (GA) |
Coach Years4: | 1987–1989 |
Coach Team4: | West Point Prep (NY) (assistant) |
Coach Years5: | 1990–1998 |
Coach Team5: | Ithaca (assistant) |
Coach Years6: | 1999–2019 |
Coach Team6: | Coast Guard |
Overall Record: | 75–126 |
Bowl Record: | 0–1 |
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.