George H. "Hoss" Hobson (May 4, 1908 – November 19, 2001) was an American athlete and sports coach. After playing college football for Alabama State, Hobson began a coaching career at several high schools, leading his teams to four state championships. In c. 1941, he began his tenure at Alabama A&M University, for which he was best known. He served as head football coach from 1942 to 1959, and was also the athletic director for many years. In the latter position, he revived the school's baseball team and added the sports of basketball, tennis, and golf, serving as the head coach of each for a time. Hobson later served as commissioner of the SIAC and was inducted into both the NACDA and Alabama A&M Halls of Fame. Early life and education Hobson was born on May 4, 1908. He attended high school in Greensboro, Alabama, and was captain of his school's football and baseball teams. He played college football for Alabama State as a fullback, and was team captain in 1932. That year, he was named on multiple all-state teams and was given All-America honors by several selectors as an honorable mention. Hobson received degrees from Alabama State and from Northwestern University. Coaching career After graduating from Alabama State, Hobson began a coaching career, and served his first few years at several high schools including Lakeside High School. In 1937, he was named coach and science teacher at Decatur Negro High School. He was a key figure in organizing the Alabama and Southwest Georgia Athletic Conference, serving as its president for a time. By the time he began coaching college sports, Hobson had helped his high school teams win a total of four state championships, three of which were in football and the remaining one in track and field. Hobson was named head football coach for the Alabama A&M Bulldogs in 1942, succeeding Dyke Smith. He had previously been an assistant to the team. It was his tenure at Alabama A&M which Hobson was best known for, going on to serve nearly three decades with the school and later being named athletic director and head of the physical education department. He coached football from 1942 to 1959, compiling a record of 43–83–10, before being succeeded by Louis Crews. As athletic director, Hobson took Alabama A&M from having just football, to having five sports, after reviving baseball, and adding tennis, golf,