Former Duke Star and Memphis Assistant Nolan Smith Reportedly in Talks to Become Tennessee State Head Coach…

Former Duke Star and Memphis Assistant Nolan Smith Reportedly in Talks to Become Tennessee State Head Coach

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former Duke University standout and current University of Memphis assistant coach Nolan Smith is reportedly in discussions to become the next head coach at Tennessee State University (TSU), sources close to the situation confirmed this week.

Smith, 36, has quickly risen through the coaching ranks since transitioning from a successful playing career to the sidelines. Known for his leadership, basketball IQ, and deep ties to the college game, Smith would be making his head coaching debut should the deal with TSU materialize.

TSU, a Division I program competing in the Ohio Valley Conference, has been on the hunt for a new head coach following the departure of Brian “Penny” Collins, who left the program after six seasons to pursue opportunities elsewhere. The school has reportedly made Smith a top priority as it looks to inject fresh energy and vision into its men’s basketball program.

A former McDonald’s All-American and the 2010–11 ACC Player of the Year, Smith helped lead Duke to a national championship in 2010 under legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski. He was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft and spent several years playing professionally in the NBA and overseas.

Since hanging up his jersey, Smith has been steadily building his coaching résumé. He returned to Duke in 2016 as a special assistant and later served as the team’s director of basketball operations and then assistant coach. In 2022, he accepted an assistant coaching role under Penny Hardaway at Memphis, where he played a key role in recruiting and player development.

His experience under two prominent basketball minds — Krzyzewski and Hardaway — has made him a sought-after candidate in coaching circles.

If hired, Smith would take over a TSU program that has shown flashes of promise but has struggled with consistency in recent years. The Tigers finished the 2024–25 season with a 15-16 record, missing out on a postseason berth. TSU administrators are reportedly aiming to re-energize the program with a high-profile hire, and Smith’s name brings both credibility and excitement.

While no official announcement has been made, sources suggest the two sides are in advanced talks and that an agreement could be finalized in the coming days. TSU athletic director Mikki Allen has remained tight-lipped, but insiders say the university is enthusiastic about the potential hire and what it could mean for the future of TSU basketball.

Smith’s move to Tennessee State would mark a full-circle moment in many ways. Though a national figure, he has long expressed a desire to uplift and invest in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). His father, the late Derek Smith, was also a respected basketball figure, and Nolan has frequently spoken about wanting to honor his legacy through coaching and mentorship.

As the college basketball world waits for an official confirmation, the possibility of Smith leading TSU represents more than just a coaching change — it signals a new chapter for both a rising young coach and a proud HBCU looking to return to prominence….