Eastern Illinois defensive back Tienne Fridge has played five years of college football, but growing up he was better at another sport. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Barry Bottino
Now in his fifth year of college football, Tienne Fridge is making an impact on the field as the Rover defensive back at Eastern Illinois.
He also takes pride in being a servant to other Panthers as a team captain.
Growing up, however, another sport was more likely to play a role in his future.
“I think I was better at swimming than football,” said Fridge, a graduate student who arrived at EIU in 2023 from Sacramento (Calif.) City College. “I was a big fan of (Olympic swimming star) Michael Phelps. I just loved football.”
Along with his athletic pursuits, Fridge has taken up grilling, misses his mother’s cooking, has been guided my numerous coaches in his athletic career and can do without candy corn at Halloween.
Get to know all about Fridge in our Moving the Chains Q&A series.
You came from the junior college level in 2023 but redshirted that season. Did you have any disappointment about not playing right away?
Honestly, I did. Transferring from junior college was a big deal for me just because of how much I’ve worked to get to that point. Not being able to see the results right away was discouraging but we had a really good season. It was a fun season to be a part of. I wouldn’t change it for anything. It opened up more opportunities to get my graduate school paid for, and I also switched positions. That was a big reason why (I redshirted) also. I was growing into my body more and realizing that I had new strengths and potential that I hadn’t really exercised at my junior college.
I used to play cornerback, so it’s allowed me to fall in love with the game all over again and learn more about it.
You play a hybrid role in the EIU defense. Can you describe your position?
The position I play now, I’m definitely more in the box (near the line of scrimmage). Playing the run first was definitely something new for me. I’m more of a nickel safety. I still like to cover (receivers) but I get to have my nose on the ball more.
It’s fun. In last year’s defense, they called my position the Fox. Now I’m called a Rover.
It’s a 4-2-5 defense. Last year, I was making a run/pass read every single play. Now there are more designated times of when I’m playing the run, when I’m in coverage and when I’m blitzing.
It’s more fun because it keeps guys on their toes and keeps me figuring out more nuances of the position, the game and what my opponent is trying to do.
Where has your biggest growth as a player been over the past two years?
I’m still scratching the surface of it, but it’s my physicality. I’m using my body more and realizing the strength I have. That, in combination with still knowing I can cover and be dominant in pass coverage.
You have a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communications. Tell us about why that major was important to you?
When I got my associate’s degree at Sac City, it was in psychology. When I got here, I realized that I only needed two more classes in psychology to get a minor. I liked the basics of psychology, but once I got to Eastern, I realized that it wasn’t the major for me career-wise.
I took some classes in sports management and communications. I felt like interpersonal communications is a mix between psychology and communications.
Why I love football so much is because of the relationships, having so many people from so many different backgrounds and finding new ways to connect with people. In junior college, I had so many guys there from my high school. Once I came here, it was my first time living in the Midwest. All the culture shock I was experiencing, it was apparent to me that I valued what makes people different and trying to connect with them was a big reason I chose my major.
What’s your dream job after football?
I’m still kind of figuring that out. I’m trying to pump the brakes on coaching football. It’s been so much of my life. A lot of things are gearing me toward that. But I’m still trying to keep my eyes open for other opportunities. Being an older guy on the team, encouraging those that don’t have the insights that I have is important. Being able to be a coach and help guys with basic principles of life through the game is an opportunity to reach them.
Growing up, the most impactful people in my life have been coaches. It’s an honorable profession.
What’s the focus of your master’s degree program?
My master’s is in communication and leadership. A lot of it is geared toward interpersonal communication. One of the classes I took last semester was organizational communication, which helped me look at the football programs with a different lens, such as the hierarchy and the power people have to influence others. I’ve also looked at the role I have as a team captain and the ways I can use that to be more efficient and effective in the ways I communication but also looking at it not just as football, football, football. I’m looking at it for the bigger purpose. It opened my eyes.
Yes, college football is a business. But it’s also an organization, just like the regular workforce.
Tell us about your family and where you sit in that hierarchy?
I’m the oldest. It’s me and my sister, who’s two years younger than me. She just got her bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara. I’m really proud of her.
My dad is from Chicago. I think that’s part of the reason Eastern was the place for me. I was born and raised in California, which is where my mom’s from too. When I got the offer from Eastern, my dad was living in Chicago at the time. That had a big impact on why I felt that I was chosen to be here.
If a teammate visits you in Sacramento, what are three things you must do or see?
I’d say we have to go to the Tower Bridge on the Sacramento River (built in the 1930s). I go to a church in Old Sacramento called the Project Church. And, the state capital is in that same area.
It’s not the most glorious city in California, but it’s still very well known.
What makes Sacramento an underrated city?
It’s a very family-oriented area and it’s in between the mountains and the Bay Area. Northern California is just a completely different experience than Southern California. It feels like a different state.
You were named a team captain at the EIU spring scrimmage. What impact did that have on you?
It means the world to me. When I first came here, I didn’t necessarily get the role that I wanted. Last year, I didn’t play as much as I wanted. I went really hard this off-season knowing it was going to be a completely different team (with 50-plus new players). Knowing that I was going to get the opportunity to play this fall. My peers seeing in me that I was someone they could get behind meant a lot. Coach Wilkerson means a lot to me in general for giving me this opportunity.
The biggest thing is just how much faith they have in me, and how much I have faith in the program.
Everyone approaches leadership differently. What type of a leader are you?
For me, it’s not as much about doing the rah-rah. It’s more trying to serve my teammates and those around me, stepping in when something needs to be said but also allowing others to be themselves and trying to invite the best version of themselves into anything we do.
Halloween is coming up this month. What are the best and worst candies on Halloween?
I wouldn’t touch candy corn. (Laughs) Most of the chocolate candies are really good. I like peanut butter Snickers. That’s probably my favorite.
On your bio page on Eastern’s football website, you had short hair when you arrived and now you have longer hair. Why the style change?
Throughout my life, my hair is either all the way short or all the way grown out. In junior college, I had it even longer than it is now. I took it all off right after my visit to Eastern in January 2023. Since then, it just came back and I feel right.
Your junior college’s nickname was also the Panthers. Did that play into your decision?
(Laughs) It’s funny. I would’ve never planned that. I didn’t even know about Eastern when I went to my junior college. I knew from (the time of my decision) that I’ll be a Panther for life.
Your alma mater, Elk Grove High School, has had 16 baseball players make the major leagues. Is it considered a baseball school?
For sure. There are some guys in the league now. I only played baseball for two years.
What other sports did you play in high school?
I ran track for football, to recover from injuries. My senior year, I swam. I also was a swimmer growing up. We only had one swim meet. It got cut short because of COVID. I think I was better at swimming than football. I just loved football.
There are a number of famous Elk Grove alumni. Which ones are you most likely to tell teammates about?
I’d say (former Chicago Bears LB) Lance Briggs or (ex-Chicago Bulls center) Bill Cartwright. I heard that (recording artist) Tyler, The Creator went there for a couple semesters.
Is there a rival team you played during junior college or high school that you still don’t like?
(Laughs) I’d say in junior college, it was American River College. We never beat them. I was actually going to go there but one of my (high school) coaches ended up being a position coach at Sac City, so I went there.
What do people misunderstand about juco football?
They don’t understand the grind that it takes. There’s a misunderstanding about guys in junior college being undisciplined or that something’s wrong with them. It’s actually a beautiful opportunity for them to capitalize on. It’s a great tool. It builds a lot of character. It made me realize why I love football and that I’m much more than a football player.
What was your biggest adjustment from Northern California to Central Illinois?
Everything. I came in January, so everything was gray and cold and windy. The hardest thing was not having my mom’s cooking. It was my first time living on my own. It was my first time doing all the chores.
What are your favorite dishes that your mom cooks?
She makes spaghetti, and she’ll make steak with a Greek sauce and pita bread. It’s really good. I love barbecue, so any of that. She’s a really good cook.
Do you cook for yourself and others?
I’m into the hobby of grilling now. I make grilled chicken and rice with a salad on the side. I always cook bratwurst too. Me and (linebacker) Jesse Garza started grilling when we first moved out here.
I remember on Easter we had a bunch of our teammates come over. We broke bread together. That was a good time.
Do you have a dream car you’d like to own?
I like the AMG (by Mercedes). I’m not the biggest car guy, but I want something that’s comfortable.
If you could attend any sporting event, what would it be and why?
The Olympics are really cool. Growing up, the swimming was cool and I was a big fan of Michael Phelps. The pride there is, like when the NBA got into playing in the Olympics, is cool. I remember LeBron (James) and Kobe (Bryant) going to see tennis or other sports.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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