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.  

 

Elevating the football program 
As collegiate athletics continues to become more competitive, colleges and universities are searching for ways to differentiate themselves in the eyes of parents and recruits. An endowed coaching position signals to prospective student-athletes the support and commitment the program has from the University, athletics department, alumni and broader community. 
 
"There are no more appropriate people to connect to the BGSU head football coach position than Mike and Jan Wilcox. Mike and Wilcox Financial/Wilcox Sports Management are industry leaders in supporting and representing coaches and administrators across college athletics in all stages of their careers," said BGSU Vice President for Athletic Strategy Derek van der Merwe. "Their commitment speaks volumes about their service and support to this University, our athletics department and its coaches and staff over the years. The Wilcoxes are great Falcons who have always promoted and directly invested in the success of BGSU and its students." 
 
The BGSU football program has experienced rising success in recent years, including three consecutive bowl game appearances. The announcement of George as head coach contributed to the already growing momentum, catapulting the University and its football program into the national spotlight. 
 
BGSU Athletics prominence continued when former BGSU standout Harold Fannin Jr. was drafted in the third round by the Cleveland Browns, marking the first time a tight end from Bowling Green had been drafted in more than 50 years. 
 
Wilcox, who has long supported BGSU and its football program, dedicates about a third of his professional life to representing coaches, athletic directors, conference commissioners and university administrators through his financial and sports management firm.  
 
Through his work, he became aware of the endowment of coaching positions at Notre Dame, Louisiana State University and others, prompting him to bring the idea to van der Merwe. 
 
"Jan and I felt that the time was right to make this commitment," Wilcox said. "BGSU football has had quality coaches like Doyt Perry, Don Nehlen, Gary Blackney, Urban Meyer, Dave Clawson and Scot Loeffler, and we hope this gift also honors their legacy." 
 
Inspiring others to give 
Aside from supporting the University, the Wilcoxes hope this gift will serve as inspiration for others to give. Originally from Ithaca, New York, Wilcox was the oldest of five siblings raised by a single mother. He came to BGSU after being recruited by the legendary coach Mickey Cochrane to play lacrosse. 
 
"I believe the environments that you are in that are really difficult at the time give you choices; you're either going to step up and lead and achieve or you're not," he said. "BGSU changed both of our lives, and the joy of giving is knowing that we can give to the initiatives that we believe in. We're blessed to be able to do it, and hopefully we'll serve as role models for others with their giving. 
  
"Our University is on fire on a national basis and achieving excellence in all areas. President Rogers, Derek van der Merwe and their colleagues are doing a terrific job, and we also wanted to recognize and support their efforts." 
 
As an undergraduate, Wilcox served as the student representative to the BGSU Board of Trustees and led the student committee to build the Student Recreation Center. He briefly played on the hockey team, was a two-time captain of the nationally ranked lacrosse team and was named a lacrosse All-American for three consecutive years. He was also president of the Interfraternity Council. Wilcox served for 10 years on the BGSU Board of Trustees, including as chairman. He was inducted into the BGSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1983. 
 
"Leadership is huge with us," he said. "We like to see people lead, grow and flourish. Bowling Green gave both Jan and I that opportunity." 
 
After leaving BGSU, Wilcox turned down many corporate job offers to pursue his eventual dream of owning his own business. Jan Wilcox graduated with a fine arts degree and taught in northwest Ohio for a number of years. The Wilcoxes are Falcon Flames and are celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary this year. 
 
Although admitting that his path to success wasn't always easy, Wilcox said the rewards of living out his dream have long outweighed the alternative. He credits BGSU with providing the foundation for his career and the many lessons learned have remained with him for a lifetime. 
 
"The biggest motivator in giving this gift is for someone to say, 'If they did it, maybe we can do it,'" Wilcox said. "My story and upbringing were challenging. Without the lessons learned and what I took away from the experiences that I had at Bowling Green, it would have been a very different story in my life. For that, we'll always be thankful to the University."