Tallahassee State College is announcing two key leadership hires that will help shape the future of Eagle Athletics. The College has named Brett Rutherford as Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation and Trent Short as Head Men’s Basketball Coach, bringing experienced, student-focused leaders to one of the top athletics programs in the Florida College System.
“We are excited to welcome Brett Rutherford and Trent Short to Tallahassee State College,” said Dr. Sheri Rowland, Vice President for Student Affairs. “Both bring tremendous energy, leadership, and a deep commitment to student success. These hires reflect our continued investment in Eagle Athletics and our belief in the important role athletics plays in building community, pride, and opportunities for our students.”
Rutherford will officially begin his role on July 1, 2026. A Florida State University graduate, he currently serves as Assistant Athletic Director for External Operations at Wake Technical Community College, where he oversees athletic communications, game operations, and serves as the sport administrator for the women’s soccer, men’s basketball, and baseball programs. In addition, he has worked alongside the Athletic Director in fundraising efforts, coaching hires, and business operations.
This marks a return to TSC for Rutherford, who previously served as Assistant for Athletics and Communication during the 2022-23 academic year. In that role, he handled athletic communications, media relations, and game operations while assisting with business operations and fundraising efforts. Rutherford also served as Lead Broadcaster and Sports Information Assistant for the TSC Eagles during the 2021-22 season, broadcasting and producing livestream coverage for home athletic events and creating content for the athletics website and social media channels.
“Tallahassee State College is a special institution with a proud history of success in athletics,” Rutherford said. “I look forward to building on that strong foundation and continuing to elevate the student-athlete experience, strengthen our programs, and ensure athletics reflects the excellence of the College. I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Rowland and Dr. Murdaugh for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Short brings nine years of collegiate coaching experience and a proven track record of success at the NJCAA and NAIA levels, serving with programs that compiled a combined 117-45 record and made multiple national tournament appearances. Most recently, he served as associate head coach at Chipola College, helping guide the program to sustained success on the regional and national stage, including consecutive NJCAA National Tournament appearances and a Sweet 16 appearance in 2025-26.
He has also coached at Jones College, the University of Mobile, and Central Methodist University. Throughout his career, he has helped mentor numerous student-athletes who advanced to NCAA Division I programs, including Florida A&M University, Louisiana Tech, TCU, Western Kentucky, and Buffalo.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the men’s basketball program at Tallahassee State College,” said Short. “TSC has a strong tradition of success, and I’m excited to build relationships with our student-athletes, campus community, and fans. My goal is to develop young men who compete at a high level, succeed academically, and represent the College with pride.”
Short earned both his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and a master’s degree in higher education and leadership from the University of Mobile. As a player, he was a two-time all-conference selection and still holds the school’s three-point shooting record.
TSC Athletics competes in the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) in baseball, softball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and women’s cross country and track and field, in addition to the College’s esports program. The men’s basketball team finished the 2025-26 season with a 24-6 overall record, including a 13-1 record at home and six wins over Top 10 opponents.
https://www.tsceagles.com/general/2025-26/releases/20260514p5im2n
