Tennessee State University’s search for a new men’s basketball head coach is heating up, and Memphis Tigers assistant coach Nolan Smith has emerged as a leading candidate, sources confirm.

According to multiple reports and conversations with people familiar with the process, Smith is currently deep in talks with TSU about potentially becoming the program’s next head coach. However, despite the momentum, sources caution that no final decision has been made.

That meeting is expected to be pivotal.

Tennessee State’s process is down to two finalists, both of whom will reportedly meet with the school’s President before a final decision is made. The Athletic Director will provide a recommendation, but ultimately, the President will make the final call.

A source close to the university says that Tennessee State is looking for a “pro-style coach” to lead the program—someone who can not only recruit and relate to the modern player, but also bring visibility, legitimacy, and high-level basketball pedigree to the table.

Smith certainly fits that mold. A former McDonald’s All-American and national champion at Duke University under legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, Smith also served on Coach K’s bench as an assistant before joining Penny Hardaway’s staff at Memphis in 2022. Tennessee State’s Athletic Director is said to have been impressed by Smith’s combination of pedigree, experience under Hall of Fame leadership, and his youthful energy on the recruiting trail.

“Being under Coach K might have helped,” one source added. “But nothing has been decided as of today.”

Tennessee State, a storied HBCU program with a proud basketball tradition that includes NBA legends like Dick Barnett and Truck Robinson, has made waves in recent years for considering big-name hires. Sources indicate that other notable names who have been contacted during this search include longtime NBA veteran Sam Cassell and Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen whose son played at Vanderbilt.  

If hired, Nolan Smith would be the latest in a wave of young, high-profile former players taking over programs at the collegiate level. Known for his passion, recruiting connections, and high basketball IQ, Smith’s potential arrival in Nashville would signal TSU’s desire to elevate its program to national relevance.

For now, the process remains ongoing. But if the final hurdle—a meeting with Tennessee State’s President—goes well, Smith could be calling the shots on the sidelines in Gentry Center next season.