Latest news with #TennesseeStateUniversity
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
HBCU Rising Star Coach Makes Historic NBA Move
HBCU Rising Star Coach Makes Historic NBA Move originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Brian 'Penny' Collins didn't just coach basketball at Tennessee State University. He changed it. For seven years, he led with vision, pride, and purpose, pushing TSU into national conversations and earning respect far beyond the Ohio Valley Conference. Now, Collins is stepping onto a larger stage, the NBA, as he joins the Memphis Grizzlies as an assistant and brings with him the heart of HBCU basketball. Advertisement The announcement hit early Monday morning: Collins had officially accepted a coaching position with the NBA's Grizzlies franchise, becoming one of the rare coaches from a historically Black college or university to make the leap to the league. One thing is clear, his impact on HBCU sports has already left a lasting legacy. From Underdog to Architect When Collins took over at TSU in 2018, the program was struggling to find footing in a competitive conference. Over the next seven seasons, he crafted a program rooted in accountability, development, and brotherhood. His final year with the Tigers, a 17-16 campaign that ended in the semifinals of the 2024 OVC Tournament, was a testament to how far the program had come under his leadership. But it wasn't just the wins. Collins focused heavily on off-court growth, emphasizing academics, leadership, and service, values deeply ingrained in HBCU culture. Advertisement By 2024, TSU wasn't just competing. It was earning respect. 'Coach Collins built a family-oriented culture and a competitive program that earned the respect of our conference and the broader basketball community,' TSU Director of Athletics Dr. Mikki Allen said following his departure. 'We are proud to congratulate Coach Collins on this significant opportunity.' TSU head coach Brian Penny Collins yells to his players from the sideline in an Ohio Valley Conference basketball game between the Austin Peay Governors and Tennessee State Tigers.© Henry Taylor/The Leaf-Chronicle, Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle via Imagn Content Services, LLC A Trail Few Have Walked The jump from HBCU basketball to the NBA coaching ranks remains a rare one. While former NBA stars like Deion Sanders and Eddie George have brought attention and resources to HBCU programs in football, basketball coaching pipelines have been slower to develop. Collins' move could open new doors. Advertisement His transition mirrors the growing push for equity in coaching representation. According to the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, less than 10% of NBA head or assistant coaches hail from HBCU backgrounds. That number shrinks even further for those making the leap directly from HBCU head coaching roles. Collins now enters that elite tier, not just as a representative of TSU, but as a symbol for what's possible. The Next Chapter for Tennessee State With Collins headed to the league, the immediate question for TSU becomes: What's next? Assistant Coach Erik Buggs has been named interim head coach. Buggs, who arrived last season after a successful run at UT Martin, where he helped guide the Skyhawks to a 24-win season and an OVC regular-season title in 2022–23, has deep ties to player development and already commands respect within the locker room. Advertisement Whether TSU removes the interim tag or looks externally, the hire will be a pivotal one. Collins' success raised expectations, and the next leader will be charged with maintaining that momentum. TSU remains the only HBCU in the Ohio Valley Conference, a status that comes with both pride and pressure. And Collins' departure may only intensify the spotlight on the program. Bigger Than Basketball The story of Penny Collins isn't just about coaching. It's about representation. It's about showing what leadership looks like, on your own terms. At a time when Black coaches are still fighting for recognition in both college and pro sports, Collins' move underscores a rising shift. HBCUs have long been hotbeds for athletic talent. Now, they're starting to get the credit they deserve for producing coaching talent too. Advertisement This isn't a goodbye, it's a milestone. It signals that the work done at Tennessee State has weight in rooms once thought out of reach. It's also a wake-up call to athletic directors across the country: HBCU coaches aren't waiting for permission anymore. They're earning and taking their place. One Coach. One Program. One Path That Matters. For HBCU sports fans, this is more than an NBA transaction. It's a win for every small-budget program overlooked by the big networks. It's a win for every Black coach working in silence. And it's a win for every athlete who chose culture over clout. Collins may no longer be pacing the sideline at Gentry Center, but his impact echoes beyond the hardwood. What he built in Nashville will live on, in the teammates who became brothers, the students who became men, and now, in a professional locker room that's about to experience what HBCU coaching excellence really looks like. And the league is better for it. Related: HBCU Legend Shows True Colors Behind Oklahoma City Thunder This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
College Basketball Head Coach Quits For NBA Job
College Basketball Head Coach Quits For NBA Job originally appeared on The Spun. A men's college basketball head coach has stepped down from his position to pursue a coaching gig in the NBA. The 2024-25 NBA season came to an end earlier this month. The Oklahoma City Thunder topped the Indiana Pacers in seven games in the NBA Finals. The NBA's 2025 offseason is officially underway, with free agency starting on Monday evening. Advertisement Heading into the start of the 2025 NBA offseason, a notable men's college basketball head coach has stepped down, in order to pursue a professional gig. Tennessee State University head men's basketball coach Brian "Penny" Collins has stepped down, effective immediately, to accept a coaching position in the NBA, the school announced on Monday. NCAA basketball on court. (Photo by)Collins had been the school's head coach for seven seasons. The program reached the semifinals in last season's Ohio Valley Conference Tournament and finished the year with a 17-16 overall record. "On behalf of Tennessee State University, I wish Coach Collins and his family the very best as they begin this exciting new chapter," said Director of Athletics Dr. Mikki Allen. "We are proud to congratulate Coach Collins on this significant opportunity, which reflects the meaningful work he has done here over the past seven years." Advertisement "Coach Collins built a family-oriented culture and a competitive program that earned the respect of our conference and the broader basketball community. His impact on our student-athletes and the Tennessee State University family has been profound. His passion and unwavering commitment to developing young men and providing a first-class experience have been truly invaluable." The school is grateful for his time. "I extend my sincere gratitude to Coach Collins for his leadership and for guiding our student-athletes with integrity and purpose," said Interim President Dwayne Tucker. "He has played a key role in bringing our men's basketball program back to a competitive standing in the OVC." Best of luck to Coach Collins in the NBA. College Basketball Head Coach Quits For NBA Job first appeared on The Spun on Jun 30, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tennessee State raises tuition 6% amid budget stabilization effort
This story was originally published on Higher Ed Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Higher Ed Dive newsletter. Tennessee State University is set to raise its tuition and fees by 6% as the struggling institution tries to pull itself out of financial distress. The university's board of trustees voted to approve the increase last week. The plan would reduce the historically Black institution's projected fiscal 2026 deficit by some $7 million, to $38.9 million, Acting Chief Financial Officer Jim Grady told trustees at the Thursday board meeting. Since February, university leaders have identified up to $26 million in cost reductions through measures such as hiring freezes and capping scholarship awards. But officials acknowledged last week that more work still needed to be done to close the budget gap. Tennessee State is operating with little margin for error after years of management issues. Today the university would likely not be operating at all without the release of significant state funds to keep it afloat. One of the university's near-fatal mistakes in past years was promising full rides to most students using emergency federal pandemic funds without a funding plan for continuing the scholarships through their academic careers. The broken promises to students led to a massive enrollment dip. First-year student enrollment sat at around 3,500 in fiscal 2022, but fell by roughly half the next year, officials told state lawmakers last year. By 2024, Tennessee State had only 880 students. Moreover, a recently released audit found that in fiscal 2023 — and in the several years prior — Tennessee State administration failed to enact proper financial controls and processes. That resulted in both over- and undercharging students and misstating cash balances in financial statements. Since then, the university has been trying to right its budget and secure funding from the state for a turnaround. This past spring, Interim President Dwayne Tucker laid out a five-year plan to modernize Tennessee State's facilities while providing for its cash needs. The proposal would use over half a billion dollars of state money — the amount by which Tennessee underfunded the HBCU over the course of several decades, according to a 2021 report. As for its upcoming annual budget, Grady laid out spending reductions last week that are expected to save as much as $6 million by capping unrestricted financial aid awards to students and up to $10 million in reduced personnel costs by leaving vacancies unfilled. That comes after laying off around 100 employees last year. University leaders also found up to $10 million in proposed cuts to unspecified nonpersonnel costs. Tennessee State faces other potential financial headaches outside its control, such as the impact on enrollment from federal Republican proposals to cut Pell Grant awards and eligibility as well as other potential policy changes. Since President Donald Trump retook office this year, the university has also seen disruption to tens of millions of dollars in federal grants, with some funds being suspended, reinstated and then suspended again. Sign in to access your portfolio
Black America Web
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Famous People Who Attended Tennessee State University
Jason Kempin HBCU Pride will always be one of the cornerstones here at Black America Web , and we get much joy in highlighting the contributions of historically Black colleges and universities in any way possible. This time around, we're putting a spotlight on the prestigious Tennessee State University as they celebrate over a century of being one of our culture's go-to institutions for a higher education. We join all Tigers, Lady Tigers, current students, alumni and alumnae alike in giving a huge milestone anniversary shoutout to Tennessee State University! RELATED: Famous People Who Attended Alabama A&M University What proves to be more impressive than TSU's immense century of culture are the extensive amount of famous faces who once walked those historic halls. The amount of college athletes who went on to become Olympic medalists, NBA icons and an almost unbelievable sum of NFL legends is astonishingly impressive to say the least. Oh, and then there's Oprah Winfrey — what else is there to say?! Having the Queen Of Media as an alumna clearly comes with its advantages, and the Class of 2023 got a lesson in that when Lady O spoke at their commencement ceremony. Lucky! Take a look below at an excerpt from her speech that really stood out to us, via Oprah Daily : 'I don't care how hard life after college gets—and it's gonna get hard—we need you to dream big! We need audacious thinkers. Use my example; I was one good TSU teacher—Mr. Cox—and one timely phone call away from a career that would absolutely change my life. That story's not just my own. What dream are you one or two steps away from? We also need generosity of spirit; we need high standards and open minds and untamed imagination. That's how you make a difference in the world. Using who you are and what you stand for to make changes big and small. And there will be times when making the next right decision will be scary. I'll tell you a secret: That's how I've gotten through every challenge without being overwhelmed. By asking what is the next right move. You don't have to know all the right moves—you just need to know the next one.' SEE ALSO Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tennessee State University names James Sexton as interim band director
Tennessee State University has named James Sexton as its new interim band director. The historically Black, public university in Nashville announced the move in a May 6 news release. Sexton's new role is a promotion from his longtime position as assistant director of the Grammy-winning Aristocrat of Bands. Sexton said he counts it an honor to take on leadership of the marching band. "I am committed to upholding its proud traditions while enhancing the dynamic performances that define the AOB," Sexton said in the release. James Sexton leads the Aristocrat of Bands during the Tennessee State University Homecoming parade on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 in Nashville, Tenn. The university also named Dwight Pope as its new director of cheer and dance, where he will oversee the Sophisticated Ladies dance team. "His extensive experience will be invaluable in guiding the continued success and elevation of TSU's dance program while continuing to elevate the cheer team," the release said. The news comes after TSU interim President Dwayne Tucker removed previous band director Reggie McDonald from his position in January. Tucker said the school launched an investigation into McDonald's travel requestions and advances and his compliance with TSU policies and procedures. McDonald, who worked for TSU for 23 years, was ultimately fired from his role as band director but remains on administrative leave with full pay pending completion of due process for tenured faculty. The news of Sexton and Pope's appointments was met with excitement by university leaders. "Both the Aristocrat of Bands and TSU Sophisticated Ladies boasts a long and distinguished history of performances," Vice President for Student Affairs Bridgett Golman said in the release. "They are each a significant source of pride for Tennessee State University and the broader Nashville community." A search for a permanent band director is underway. More information on the Aristocrat of Bands can be found at Rachel Wegner covers education and children's issues for The Tennessean. Got a story you think she should hear? Reach her via email at RAwegner@ You can also find her on Twitter or Bluesky under the handle RachelAnnWegner. This story has been updated to add a photo. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee State University: James Sexton named interim band director
