Tennessee State’s Nolan Smith earns extension after March Madness birth

After leading the Tigers to a March Madness birth in his first season, Tennessee State has given Nolan Smith a contract extension, per a statement by the institution on Wednesday. The extension keeps him with the program until 2031

Smith spoke about the extension in a statement, saying,

“My staff and I are incredibly blessed to continue leading this program. Last season, we laid the foundation and established a clear standard for a winning culture. We’re excited, motivated, and ready to keep building something that makes the Tennessee State University community proud.”

Director of Athletics Dr. Mikki Allen added, “Nolan Smith has made an immediate and transformative impact on our program, leading with purpose, energy, and a commitment to excellence. He is a winner whose passion for this university has energized our community and strengthened TSU basketball’s national profile. This well-deserved extension provides stability and momentum for the future, and we look forward to continued success under his leadership.”

Tennessee State University president Dwayne Tucker also weighed in, saying, “This is about building something sustainable and positioning Tennessee State for long-term success. Coach Smith has elevated our program in just one year, and this extension reflects our confidence in his leadership and our vision for the future of TSU athletics.”

Tennessee State Tigers men’s basketball put together a standout season, finishing 21–9 overall with a 15–5 mark in Ohio Valley Conference play. The Tigers closed the regular season riding a four-game winning streak and entered the conference tournament as the No. 1 seed before ultimately capturing the OVC title. Following the season, Nolan Smith was recognized as the conference’s Coach of the Year. They earned a bid to the March Madness tournament, facing the second-ranked Iowa State Cyclones.

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