Eblen began his coaching career at Whitwell H. S. (TN) in 1936 the departed in 1937 for a start up football program at Carter High School in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee.
[3] Eblen also coached basketball at Tennessee Wesleyan, leading teams in both sports to Southeastern junior college championships.
Eblen left Tennessee Tech in 1942 for the University of Michigan, where he earned a master's degree in physical education.
After serving in the United States Navy during World War II, he resumed his post as Tennessee Tech.
In January 1947, Eblen was appointed to succeed Overall as head coach of the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles football team.