Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Athletics topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
TSU athletics reports on coach departure, team academic gains and revenue plans as football coach search begins
Summary
Tennessee State—s athletics leadership reported March 13 that the head football coach has departed for another job, outlined on-field accomplishments (OVC/Big South share, NCAA playoff appearance), highlighted academic metrics (departmental GPA, 32 student-athletes with 4.0 GPAs, GSR 82%), and outlined revenue-generation and facility priorities.
At the March 13 board meeting, TSU—s athletics director updated trustees on program status, recent accomplishments and priorities.
Coaching and competitive status: The athletics director reported that the head football coach had accepted a position at Bowling Green and that the department is beginning a national search for a replacement. He emphasized continuity and momentum, noting the program shared the OVC/Big South championship and earned an NCAA playoff berth; the former coach received national recognition (Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year) and the program produced individual honors (e.g., freshman defensive player awards).
Academic performance: The athletics director said the departmental semester GPA was 3.31 and the cumulative GPA across 15 sports was 3.34, with 71 student-athletes earning a 3.0 or higher and 32 student-athletes achieving a 4.0 for the semester. The department reported a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 82%; the director attributed transfer-portal movement as a main driver for the remainder of the cohort not included in that measure.
Revenue, scheduling and facilities: Athletics outlined revenue-generation plans tied to an eight-home-game football schedule (including games against nationally known and HBCU opponents), corporate-sponsorship development goals (goal cited to grow to about $1.2M from current levels around $650k), merchandising and improved fan experience in the Gentry Center. The department described partnerships and grant awards that improved facilities and training spaces (including a $100,000 NCAA grant) and a new on-site partnership for physical-therapy services at no cost. Trustees discussed longer-term facility goals including a return to Hale Stadium for some events and possible partnerships to address ADA, lighting and restroom upgrades.
Hockey and program thresholds: The director described limited external funding for hockey (two-year NHL/NHL-team support at $125,000 per year and in-kind equipment) and said the program must be independently funded before the university would absorb recurring institutional operating costs; trustees were told hockey has some donor and league support but institutional subsidy for new programs is constrained.
Cost control and student-athlete welfare: The athletics office is pursuing cost-saving measures such as bus utilization, consolidated apparel issuance, and more centralized sponsorship and marketing activity; the department emphasized student-athlete development work through programs that include career readiness, community service (reported 2,200 community-service hours) and a student-athlete development program that coordinates life skills and post-sport career preparation.
The athletics director invited trustees to visit athletic facilities and outlined a schedule of marquee home opponents for the upcoming season as the department continues recruitment and fundraising work while conducting the football coaching search.
