According to a Jon Rothstein report, Memphis assistant Nolan Smith is “finalizing” a deal to become the next head coach at Tennessee State.
Smith joined the Memphis men’s basketball staff as an assistant coach in September 2024 after two seasons at Louisville under head coach Kenny Payne. Prior to his time at Louisville, Smith spent six years on the staff at Duke, his alma mater, where he worked his way up from special assistant to director of basketball operations and player development, eventually becoming an assistant coach in 2021–22.
As a player, Smith had a decorated collegiate career at Duke from 2007–11, earning honors such as ACC Player of the Year, first-team All-American, and Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA South Regional. He helped lead the Blue Devils to the 2010 NCAA Championship and three straight ACC titles, finishing his career with 1,911 points—17th in program history.
If hired, Smith would replace Penny Collins, who accepted a position with the Memphis Grizzlies late last month.
