Tennessee St. has been investing in its athletics department over the last few years.
First, the university hired Eddie George in 2021 as its head football coach. Last year, Duante Abercrombie signed with the Tigers as its first-ever ice hockey coach, making Tennessee State the first HBCU hockey program in history. Then this past March, the school signed DC Defenders (UFL) coach Reggie Barlow as its new head coach after Eddie George left for Bowling Green. That marked a return to HBCU football for Barlow, who was the former coach at Alabama St and Virginia State.
Last week, Tennessee St announced the hiring of former NBA player, Nolan Smith, as its new head men’s basketball coach.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be named head coach at TSU,” said Smith in a statement. “First and foremost, I’m ready to give my heart and energy to our players every single day as we prepare to win and proudly represent the university and the state. I’m excited to immerse myself in the TSU and Nashville community and contribute far beyond the court. I’m built for this challenge — and TSU is built to win. So let’s win! Go Tigers!”
Smith arrives in Nashville with a wealth of coaching and playing experience.
He was an assistant at Duke, his alma mater, Louisville and Memphis before getting the top job at Tennessee St.
At Duke (2007-2011), Smith was a highly decorated player.
In 2010, he helped lead the Blue Devils to an NCAA Tournament title, earing Most Outstanding Player in the South Region and All-Final Four honors in the process. In 2011 as a senior, he led the ACC in scoring with 20.6 ppg and was named ACC Player of the Year, ACC Tournament MVP, and a consensus First-Team All-American. He finished his collegiate career with 1,911 points, which was 17th all-time in Duke history.
Now he takes over a Tigers team coming off a 17–16 season, finishing third in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 12-8 conference record.
Smith is known as a great developer of talent, having worked with 25 Duke players who went on to the NBA including Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, RJ Barrett, and Paolo Banchero.
“If anyone is deserving of this position, it’s Nolan,” said his former head coach at Memphis, Penny Hardaway. “He is prepared and ready for the job. Nolan’s time at Memphis was short, but he made a huge impact on our program. I’m very confident he will do the same at TSU.”
