TSU Coach Nolan Smith Reflects on March Madness Experiences

Compares playing in the tournament as a Duke player to coaching at Tennessee State

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Nolan Smith, the head coach of the Tennessee State University basketball team, discusses the differences between participating in the NCAA March Madness tournament as a player at Duke University and now as a coach leading his TSU team to the tournament.

Why it matters

Smith's unique perspective provides insight into the different challenges and experiences of being a player versus a coach in one of the most high-profile events in college basketball. His reflections offer a glimpse into the mental and strategic adjustments required to succeed at the highest level of the sport from both sides of the sideline.

The details

As a player at Duke, Smith went to the NCAA tournament four times, winning a national championship in 2010. Now in his third season as the head coach at Tennessee State, he has led the Tigers to their first tournament appearance since 2013. Smith notes that the experience is vastly different, with more responsibility for strategy, player management, and navigating the pressures of the big stage.

  • Smith played in the NCAA tournament four times while at Duke from 2008-2011.
  • Smith is in his third season as the head coach of the Tennessee State University basketball team.
  • Tennessee State has earned its first NCAA tournament berth since 2013 under Smith's leadership.

The players

Nolan Smith

The head coach of the Tennessee State University basketball team, who previously played in the NCAA tournament four times as a player at Duke University, winning a national championship in 2010.

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What they’re saying

“As a player, you're just focused on going out there and playing. As a coach, you have to manage the whole team, the whole staff, the whole program. There's a lot more responsibility.”

— Nolan Smith, Head Coach, Tennessee State University (The Tennessean)

What’s next

Tennessee State will learn its NCAA tournament seeding and opponent during the Selection Sunday broadcast on March 17th.

The takeaway

Nolan Smith's transition from elite player to head coach provides a unique perspective on the mental and strategic adjustments required to succeed at the highest levels of college basketball, both as a participant and as a leader.