Originally from Roanoke, Illinois, George Girardi began his athletic career at Grinnell College in Iowa.

His first coaching position was in Metamora where he started the wrestling program. After eight years, Girardi moved to Normal High School. His teams had a dual record of 186-98-8 and won seven Heart of Illinois Conference championships, five district titles and four sectional titles. Girardi's teams placed eighth, sixth and sixth in the state tournament when it was one class. Since the implementation of the two-class system, his teams have placed second, third and third. Girardi coached six individual state champions.

Girardi coached 15 years at Illinois State University and had 24 wrestlers qualify for the NCAA tournament, including three All-Americans.

He also served as a professor in the ISU department of health, physical education, recreation and dance.