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Tennessee State President Dewayne Tucker received a vote of no confidence letter on May 29 in the leadership of athletic director Mikki Allen from six of the program's coaches, including men's basketball coach Nolan Smith and football coach Reggie Barlow.
The letter expressed concern about the "current direction, leadership, communication, and operational management of the athletic department," under Allen, who was hired on April 9, 2020.
Tucker told The Tennessean on June 1 that he had received the letter and was investigating the complaints made.
"The only statement I would make at this stage is that we are aware of the concerns raised by coaches and we take these things very seriously," Tucker said. "We will be reviewing the concerns, and that's pretty much all I can talk about right now."
TSU COACH NOLAN SMITH GETS EXTENSION: Tennessee State basketball coach Nolan Smith receives contract extension
"This Vote of No Confidence is not rooted in personal grievance, but rather in a collective belief that the department can and should operate at a higher standard consistent with the values, mission, and potential of Tennessee State University," the letter stated.
Key concerns in the letter include:
Allen, a former Tennessee Vols football player, hired four of the coaches who signed the letter, including Smith, Barlow, women's basketball coach Candice Dupree, and softball coach Genee McGrath.
The other two coaches who signed the letter were longtime track and field coach Chandra Cheeseborough and volleyball coach Donika Sutton.
Tucker said he would begin meeting with Allen and the coaches who signed the letter on June 1. He said he was not sure he would be able to meet with each coach on June 1, but he would soon.
Cheeseborough, who has been at Tennessee State for 32 years and also serves as director of track and field, declined to comment. Allen and the other coaches who signed the letter could not be reached for comment.
Allen replaced longtime TSU athletic director Teresa Phillips when she retired in 2020. Allen was hired by former TSU president Glenda Glover.
In 2021, Allen announced the hiring of former Titans All-Pro running back Eddie George as the Tigers' football coach. George led the Tigers to a 24-22 record over four seasons, including a 9-4 mark in 2024, a share of the Ohio Valley Conference championship, and a berth in the FCS playoffs.
After George left to become the coach at Bowling Green in 2025, Allen hired Barlow as his replacement. The Tigers went 2-10 overall and 0-8 in the OVC in Barlow's first season.
Brian Collins left as TSU's men's basketball coach after the 2024-25 season. Allen hired Smith, a former Duke player and Memphis assistant, as Collins' replacement, and the Tigers posted a 23-10 record in 2025-26, won the OVC regular season and tournament championships, and earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament. TSU lost to Iowa State 108-74 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
On April 7, 2026, Allen gave Smith a contract extension through the 2031 season and a raise.
Allen hired Dupree, a former WNBA All-Star, as TSU's women's basketball coach in 2024. The Tigers posted a 10-21 record in Dupree's first season and 5-24 in her second.
Allen promoted McGrath from assistant to softball coach before the 2022 season. The team has posted an 88-150-1 record in five seasons under McGrath.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vote of no confidence letter filed by TSU coaches against AD Mikki Allen
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The letter expressed concern about the "current direction, leadership, communication, and operational management of the athletic department," under Allen, who was hired on April 9, 2020.
Tucker told The Tennessean on June 1 that he had received the letter and was investigating the complaints made.
"The only statement I would make at this stage is that we are aware of the concerns raised by coaches and we take these things very seriously," Tucker said. "We will be reviewing the concerns, and that's pretty much all I can talk about right now."
TSU COACH NOLAN SMITH GETS EXTENSION: Tennessee State basketball coach Nolan Smith receives contract extension
"This Vote of No Confidence is not rooted in personal grievance, but rather in a collective belief that the department can and should operate at a higher standard consistent with the values, mission, and potential of Tennessee State University," the letter stated.
Key concerns in the letter include:
- Inconsistent communication and lack of operational transparency.
- Uneven allocation of resources and support among programs.
- Lack of clear departmental vision, structure, and accountability.
- Delayed decision-making affecting staffing, budgeting, and program operations.
- Declining morale and trust within the athletic department.
- Concerns regarding equity, consistency, and support across programs.
- Insufficient collaboration between administration and coaching staffs regarding decisions directly impacting student-athlete welfare and competitive success.
Allen, a former Tennessee Vols football player, hired four of the coaches who signed the letter, including Smith, Barlow, women's basketball coach Candice Dupree, and softball coach Genee McGrath.
The other two coaches who signed the letter were longtime track and field coach Chandra Cheeseborough and volleyball coach Donika Sutton.
Tucker said he would begin meeting with Allen and the coaches who signed the letter on June 1. He said he was not sure he would be able to meet with each coach on June 1, but he would soon.
Cheeseborough, who has been at Tennessee State for 32 years and also serves as director of track and field, declined to comment. Allen and the other coaches who signed the letter could not be reached for comment.
Allen replaced longtime TSU athletic director Teresa Phillips when she retired in 2020. Allen was hired by former TSU president Glenda Glover.
In 2021, Allen announced the hiring of former Titans All-Pro running back Eddie George as the Tigers' football coach. George led the Tigers to a 24-22 record over four seasons, including a 9-4 mark in 2024, a share of the Ohio Valley Conference championship, and a berth in the FCS playoffs.
After George left to become the coach at Bowling Green in 2025, Allen hired Barlow as his replacement. The Tigers went 2-10 overall and 0-8 in the OVC in Barlow's first season.
Brian Collins left as TSU's men's basketball coach after the 2024-25 season. Allen hired Smith, a former Duke player and Memphis assistant, as Collins' replacement, and the Tigers posted a 23-10 record in 2025-26, won the OVC regular season and tournament championships, and earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament. TSU lost to Iowa State 108-74 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
On April 7, 2026, Allen gave Smith a contract extension through the 2031 season and a raise.
Allen hired Dupree, a former WNBA All-Star, as TSU's women's basketball coach in 2024. The Tigers posted a 10-21 record in Dupree's first season and 5-24 in her second.
Allen promoted McGrath from assistant to softball coach before the 2022 season. The team has posted an 88-150-1 record in five seasons under McGrath.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vote of no confidence letter filed by TSU coaches against AD Mikki Allen
Continue reading...
