Tennessee State University Men's Basketball

Tennessee State University named Nolan Smith as its head men’s basketball coach, bringing to Nashville a national champion, former NBA first-round draft pick, and one of the most respected rising leaders in college basketball. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be named head coach at TSU,” Smith said. “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 at Tennessee State following the 2024–25 season as an assistant coach at the University of Memphis under Penny Hardaway. At Memphis, he played a key role in player development and recruiting while helping guide a young roster through one of the nation’s most challenging nonconference schedules and a competitive American Athletic Conference slate. Prior to Memphis, Smith spent two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Louisville (2022–24), where he earned recognition for his mentorship of guards and player development work. He joined Louisville after six seasons on staff at his alma mater, Duke University. Smith began his coaching career at Duke as a special assistant before being promoted to director of basketball operations and player development, and later assistant coach in 2021. During his tenure, the Blue Devils advanced to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighted by a Final Four run in 2022 and several Atlantic Coast Conference championships. Smith played a direct role in the development of numerous NBA players, including Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, RJ Barrett, and Paolo Banchero, with 25 players from Duke advancing to the NBA during his time on staff. As a player, Smith was one of the most decorated guards in Duke history. From 2007–11, he helped lead the Blue Devils to the 2010 NCAA National Championship and earned South Regional Most Outstanding Player and All-Final Four honors. As a senior in 2011, Smith averaged 20.6 points per game, led the ACC in scoring, and was named ACC Player of the Year, ACC Tournament MVP, and a consensus First-Team All-American. He finished his career with 1,911 points, ranking among Duke’s all-time leading scorers. Smith was selected 21st overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers and played two seasons in the NBA before continuing his professional career in the NBA G League and internationally, including stops in Croatia and Turkey. Off the court, Smith is known for his commitment to community engagement and advocacy. He serves on the board of the Durham-based nonprofit The Brotherhood, which focuses on mentorship, empowerment, and education for young men of color, and has been an advocate for mental health awareness and student-athlete development. Smith earned his bachelor’s degree from Duke University in 2011. He and his wife, Cheyna, have three children: Camryn, Derek “Deuce,” and Kai.

Tennessee State head men's basketball coach Nolan Smith announced Wednesday the hiring of veteran coach Vince Taylor as an assistant coach. Taylor, a Lexington, Kentucky, native, brings more than two decades of experience at the collegiate and professional levels, with stops at UCF, Texas Tech, Minnesota, Louisville, Pittsburgh and Wyoming, as well as two seasons with the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. "Coach Taylor has more experience in every situation you can possibly think of — Duke player, [New York] Knickerbocker player, UCF, Louisville, Texas Tech, Pittsburgh, Timberwolves, Wyoming," Smith said. "Coach is an amazing human being. It was important for me to go find guys that wear that hat first, and Coach is one of those special human beings in this business. "Coach has always affected winning every place he has touched. Knowledge, care factor, love, motivator — all the characteristics are there, and Coach is here to be a part of something special." Most recently, Taylor spent seven seasons (2017–24) at UCF, where he helped guide the Knights to their first at-large NCAA Tournament berth, the program's first NCAA Tournament win, and a second-round appearance in 2019 against Duke. That season, UCF earned 24 victories and a spot in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2011. Taylor also worked closely with Tacko Fall, who signed with the Boston Celtics. Before UCF, Taylor was an assistant at Texas Tech (2013–16) under Tubby Smith, where he focused on the frontcourt and was named to the Hoop Scoop Top 60 Assistant Coaches list for his recruiting success. He previously spent six seasons at Minnesota (2007–13), helping the Gophers sign 10 Top 150 recruits and secure multiple NCAA Tournament berths. Taylor's coaching career began at Louisville (1998–2005) under Hall of Famers Rick Pitino and Denny Crum. He helped assemble Louisville's 2001 top-five recruiting class and recruited future NBA first-round draft picks Reece Gaines and Francisco Garcia. The Cardinals reached the 2005 Final Four with a roster built largely on Taylor's recruiting. He also spent two seasons with the Timberwolves (2005–07), working in player development and opponent scouting. As a player, Taylor starred at Duke, earning All-ACC and honorable mention All-America honors in 1982 after leading the league in scoring at 20.3 points per game. He finished with 1,455 career points and once held the school record for most consecutive games played (120). Selected by the New York Knicks in the second round of the 1982 NBA Draft, Taylor played one season in the NBA before embarking on a 13-year professional career in Europe, including two years as a player/assistant coach in Belgium. A McDonald's High School All-American at Tates Creek High School, Taylor earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Duke in 1982 and was named to the President's List for his academic and leadership achievements.

After serving two seasons as Director of Basketball Operations, Brandon Lockridge was promoted to assistant coach ahead of the 2024–25 season and will enter his third season in that role during the 2026–27 campaign. Lockridge is no stranger to the Gentry Center, marking his second stint on the Tennessee State men’s basketball staff. He previously served as Director of Basketball Operations under former head coach Cy Alexander during the 2007–08 season following two years as a graduate assistant and video coordinator. As a student-athlete at Tennessee State, Lockridge served as a team co-captain during his senior season and established himself as one of the Ohio Valley Conference’s top perimeter shooters. He finished his career ranked 10th in program history with 116 made three-point field goals. During his junior season, Lockridge delivered notable performances, including an 18-point outing against Ohio State while shooting 6-of-9 from three-point range and a 20-point performance against Wyoming with six made three-pointers. He finished seventh in the OVC in three-point shooting that season. Lockridge began his coaching career in 2014 at Columbia State Community College, joining Coach Brian Collins’ staff. The Chargers advanced to consecutive NJCAA National Tournament appearances, highlighted by an Elite Eight run in 2014 and a Sweet 16 appearance alongside a Region 7 Championship in 2015. He later served as head coach at Nimitz High School, where he revitalized the program by leading the Cougars to a 20-win season and their first playoff victory in more than a decade. Lockridge earned his bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2004 and a master’s degree in Human Performance and Sport Sciences in 2007 from Tennessee State University. He is the son of longtime Tennessee State administrator and former Dean of Student Affairs Dorothy Lockridge, who served the university for more than 40 years. Lockridge and his wife, Tenisha, reside in Nashville.

Tennessee State head men’s basketball coach Nolan Smith announced the addition of former NBA veteran and nationally recognized standout DerMarr Johnson as an assistant coach beginning with the 2025–26 season. Johnson brings more than 16 years of professional playing experience, including seven seasons in the National Basketball Association, along with impactful coaching and player development experience at the collegiate level. Prior to joining Tennessee State, Johnson spent two seasons on staff at West Virginia (2022–24), contributing to player development, scouting preparation, and program operations. He previously served as Director of Player Development at the University of Cincinnati, where he oversaw individualized development plans while strengthening alumni relations and player mentorship initiatives. A Washington, D.C., native, Johnson rose to national prominence as one of the top high school players in the country at Maine Central Institute, earning Parade National High School Player of the Year honors and consensus All-America recognition. He went on to play at Cincinnati under Hall of Fame coach Bob Huggins during the 1999–2000 season, averaging 13.0 points per game while helping lead the Bearcats to a 29–4 record, a Conference USA regular-season championship, and a No. 1 national ranking for 12 weeks. Johnson was selected sixth overall in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks and went on to play seven NBA seasons with the Hawks, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, and San Antonio Spurs, appearing in 344 career games. His professional career was highlighted by resilience and longevity following a serious automobile accident early in his career, ultimately extending his playing career internationally through 2016. Following his playing career, Johnson returned to Cincinnati as a student assistant coach while completing his bachelor’s degree in 2019, officially launching his coaching career at the collegiate level. Known for his elite basketball IQ, player mentorship, and professional experience at the highest levels of the game, Johnson adds championship pedigree and developmental expertise to the Tennessee State men’s basketball program.

Dalonte Hill joined Tennessee State University as an assistant men’s basketball coach in 2025, bringing nearly two decades of collegiate coaching experience and a nationally respected reputation as both a recruiter and program builder. A veteran coach with experience across the Big Ten, Big 12, Conference USA, and Southland Conference, Hill adds extensive leadership, recruiting expertise, and player development knowledge to head coach Nolan Smith’s staff. Prior to joining TSU, Hill served on the coaching staffs at Chicago State University during the 2024–25 season and Stephen F. Austin State University. He also previously held assistant coaching roles at University of Maryland, Kansas State University, and University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Widely regarded as one of the nation’s top recruiters, Hill helped produce back-to-back top-25 recruiting classes at Maryland while working under Mark Turgeon from 2012–13. At Kansas State, where he coached from 2006–11 under Bob Huggins and Frank Martin, Hill played a key role in the Wildcats’ rise to national prominence. Promoted to associate head coach, he was instrumental in building a nationally ranked 2006 recruiting class that featured Michael Beasley and Bill Walker, both McDonald’s All-Americans. During his tenure, Kansas State posted four 20-win seasons in five years and brought in four McDonald’s All-Americans. Hill began his collegiate coaching career at his alma mater, Charlotte, where he helped guide the 49ers to a 61-30 record, three consecutive postseason appearances, and back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths from 2003–05. During that span, the program developed two All-Americans and a Conference USA Player of the Year. As a student-athlete, Hill competed at Charlotte, helping the 49ers reach three postseason appearances, including the 1998 NCAA Tournament Round of 32. He completed his collegiate playing career at Bowie State University before earning his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Charlotte in 2001. Hill’s combination of recruiting success, player development expertise, and championship-level experience makes him a key addition to TSU men’s basketball as the program continues its pursuit of sustained success.