The University of Tennessee Southern has announced the hiring of Andy Sharpe as the next men’s basketball head coach.
Sharpe returns to UT Southern after guiding the men’s basketball program for five years during the Martin Methodist era, and then spending 10 years as the head coach at NCAA Division II Southern Arkansas University.
“We are excited for Coach Sharpe’s return to UT Southern,” remarked Vice Chancellor/Athletic Director Brandie Paul. “Coach Sharpe brings a depth of knowledge to the court with proven success in men’s basketball at multiple levels. Along with his commitment to our vision as UT Southern and to the success of student-athletes, we are confident he will continue to enhance men’s basketball as a national contender.”
Sharpe holds a 316-201 career record, including 147 wins at Southern Arkansas, the most among SAU’s men’s basketball coaches during the NCAA era. Prior to Sharpe’s arrival at SAU, the Muleriders had only four winning seasons since their entrance into the NCAA in 1995, their last coming in 2002. Sharpe revived the program, guiding SAU to 10 consecutive Great American Conference tournament appearances, the program’s first appearance in a GAC Tournament title game, a GAC Tournament Runner-Up finish, GAC regular season championship, and the program’s first-ever NCAA postseason berth.
During his time in Pulaski, Sharpe led the then-RedHawks to a 128-40 record, including two TranSouth Conference regular season and tournament championships, and three trips to the NAIA National Tournament, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen and Final Four. Sharpe was honored as the national Don Meyer Coach of the Year, and was a two-time TranSouth Coach of the Year.
Sharpe began his collegiate coaching career in 2004-05 as an assistant at Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Ga., before taking over the program the following season and serving two years as head coach. At Emmanuel, he inherited a 4-28 program his first season, going on to set the school record for wins, and advancing the team to its first Southern States Athletic Conference tournament championship game.
“I want to express my gratitude to UT Southern Chancellor Dr. Linda Martin and Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Brandie Paul for affording me the opportunity to lead the Firehawk Men’s Basketball program. I’m excited to join Coach Paul’s staff of coaches and advance her vision for the athletic department as we strive to create and provide a student experience that is second to none and a UTS athletic department that the campus and community will be proud to support. I’m eager to build on the success that Coach Lyne has achieved over the past six years, as his teams have competed at high levels both in the conference and nationally. My family and I look forward to rekindling old friendships and forging new relationships and partnerships within the community in the years to come.”
Sharpe received his B.S. in business administration in 2002 from Reinhardt (Ga.) University and a M.Ed. in physical education from North Georgia College & State University in 2006.
https://www.utsfirehawks.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/releases/20240808gb0n0l
