BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Bowling Green State University is the first university in the Mid-American Conference to endow a head football coaching position, raising the prominence of the University's football program, its recruiting potential and support for student-athletes. 

Alumnus Mike Wilcox, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Toledo-based Wilcox Financial/Wilcox Sports Management, and his wife, Jan, generously donated $2 million to establish the endowment, which will support the football program in perpetuity and support a facility project.

Eddie George, former NFL All-Pro and Heisman Trophy Winner announced as the University's new head coach on March 9, will be the inaugural Mike and Jan Wilcox Head Football Coach at BGSU.

"We're doing it for the program and to pay back the experience and opportunities that were given to us by BGSU," Wilcox said. "The significance of Eddie George and what he's already brought to Bowling Green is very exciting and transformational.  

"However you want to slice it, football is the front porch of the University. When you have a successful football program, it's going to positively impact student enrollment. There are so many trickle-down benefits to this gift that I believe we'll see going forward." 

"I'm incredibly honored to be the inaugural Mike and Jan Wilcox Head Football Coach at BGSU," said Coach Eddie George. "This gift represents more than financial support—it's a powerful endorsement of where we're headed as a program. The Wilcoxes are true champions of student-athletes and collegiate athletics, and their commitment inspires us to lead with excellence, both on and off the field."

The trend of endowing coaching positions began in the Ivy League and started gaining traction among FBS schools, including Stanford and Northwestern, about a decade ago, according to ESPN.