A Legacy at Loretto
Greg Tipps, who spent nine seasons guiding the Loretto boys basketball program, announced his resignation this week to accept a new role as head coach of the women’s basketball team at Tennessee Southern.
During his tenure, Tipps compiled a career record of 493 wins and captured two Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) state championships in 2018 and 2025, the latter completing an unbeaten season for the Mustangs.
His impact extended beyond the boys’ side; from 2007 to 2014 he also led the Loretto girls program to two Final Four appearances, underscoring a rare dual‑program success that few coaches achieve.
A New Chapter in Tennessee
Tipps will become the eleventh head coach in the history of UT Southern’s women’s basketball program, a school that recently finished No. 24 in the final NAIA women’s basketball Top 25 poll.
The university, located in Tennessee, highlighted the hire as a strategic move to build on the program’s upward trajectory and to leverage Tipps’ proven ability to develop championship‑caliber teams.
Brandie Paul, a longtime associate of Tipps, is expected to continue in a supportive role within the athletic department, though details of her exact responsibilities have not been disclosed.
The transition comes at a time when the NAIA landscape is increasingly competitive, and the university hopes Tipps’ experience will translate into deeper tournament runs and greater national visibility.
TSSAA Commissioner Bill Carter praised Tipps’ contributions, noting that his leadership helped raise the profile of basketball across the state and set a benchmark for future coaches.
NAIA spokesperson Karen Miller added that the organization looks forward to seeing how Tipps’ coaching philosophy will influence the next generation of student‑athletes at the Division I level.
Greg Tipps’ move also reflects a broader trend of seasoned coaches seeking new challenges in emerging programs, a shift that could reshape competitive balances in both the TSSAA and NAIA conferences.