The landscape of college basketball coaching is in constant motion, and as the excitement of March Madness builds, so does the activity surrounding mid-major programs. A significant development has emerged with the hiring of Tobin Anderson as the new head coach for the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. This move positions Anderson, a coach with a notable track record at both the NCAA Division I and Division II levels, at the helm of a program set to join a prestigious conference.
Anderson’s recent coaching history includes stints with Iona and Fairleigh Dickinson, as well as a successful tenure at NCAA Division II institution St. Thomas Aquinas. His name gained considerable national attention during the 2023 NCAA Tournament. In that year, Anderson guided the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights, a No. 16 seed, to a landmark victory over Texas Southern in the tournament’s play-in round. While the Knights subsequently fell to Merrimack in the NEC Championship game, it’s worth noting that Merrimack was ineligible for the NEC title due to their ongoing transition to full Division I status.
The true highlight of Anderson’s 2023 NCAA Tournament run was the stunning upset of the No. 1 seed Purdue Boilermakers. The Knights, still a No. 16 seed, achieved a historic 63-58 victory, marking only the second time in NCAA Tournament history that a 16th seed had defeated a top-seeded team. This improbable triumph captivated college basketball fans nationwide. The Golden Eagles’ journey under Anderson concluded in the East Regional Round of 32, where they were ultimately defeated by Florida Atlantic, a team that would go on to reach the Final Four.
Anderson’s ability to transform programs was evident in his work with Fairleigh Dickinson. He inherited a team that had a challenging 4-22 record and, within a year, steered them to a more respectable 21-16 record. This significant turnaround paved the way for an elevated coaching opportunity at Iona, where he was appointed to succeed the well-regarded Rick Pitino as the head coach of the Gaels. However, Anderson’s time in New Rochelle, New York, proved to be relatively brief, lasting only two seasons. During his tenure, the Gaels accumulated a 33-34 record, which included an appearance in the 2025 MAAC Championship game.
Prior to his NCAA Division I coaching experiences, Anderson established a reputation as a formidable winner at St. Thomas Aquinas. Over nine seasons, he amassed an impressive 209-62 record. His leadership led to five conference titles and six tournament championships as a member of the East Coast Conference. Furthermore, he was instrumental in guiding St. Thomas Aquinas to seven consecutive NCAA Division II tournaments, showcasing a consistent level of success.
More recently, Anderson spent the 2025-26 season as an assistant coach under Bryan Hodgson at South Florida. In this role, he contributed to the Bulls achieving a 23-8 record and securing the No. 1 overall seed in the American Athletic Conference Tournament.
Tennessee Tech is preparing for a significant conference transition. The Golden Eagles are slated to become the 11th member of the Southern Conference, a highly respected mid-major league, effective July 1, 2026. The team’s recent performance saw them finish with a 13-18 record, failing to qualify for the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. This outcome led to the dismissal of John Pelphrey, who had a seven-season record of 79-138. The arrival of Tobin Anderson signals a new era and a renewed focus on elevating the program’s competitive standing.
Coaching Carousel Continues Across the Southern Conference
The coaching changes are not confined to Tennessee Tech. The Southern Conference is a hotbed of activity in the coaching world.
UNCG’s Search: In Greensboro, North Carolina, the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) is actively searching for a successor to Mike Jones. Reports indicate that Jerod Haase, a former standout player for Kansas and previously the head coach at Stanford, has emerged as a candidate for the UNCG vacancy.
Georgia Tech Considerations: The coaching search at Georgia Tech also appears to be gaining momentum. According to reputable sources, Bob Richey is considered a leading candidate for the open head coaching position. He is reportedly in contention alongside Troy’s Scott Cross. Both Cross and Richey are currently focused on preparing their respective teams for the NCAA Tournament. Cross has guided the Troy Trojans to a second consecutive Sun Belt Tournament title, while Richey has led the Furman Paladins to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in the past four years.
