A Pivotal Vote Looms at Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University will hold a decisive vote on August 28, 2026, to determine the next leaders of its athletics department and men’s basketball program, a decision that could reshape the trajectory of the school’s sports initiatives.
President James W. Crawford III has put forward Corey Lowery, currently an assistant at Seton Hall, as the recommended head coach for the Tigers, while Ashley Robinson, also a Seton Hall assistant, is slated for the role of athletics director.
Shyrone Chatman, who has been serving in an interim capacity, remains among the final contenders for the head coaching position, a fact that has galvanized support from unexpected quarters.
Dr. Lacey Reynolds, a tenured professor at the university, authored a letter urging the board to retain Chatman, arguing that the current search has been unduly influenced by external pressures and that his continued presence would safeguard the program’s stability.
The men’s basketball roster itself penned a collective appeal, warning that a late‑season coaching change could disrupt player development and jeopardize the team’s competitive outlook.
The Board of Regents, chaired by Judge Caroline Baker Hurley, will weigh these perspectives alongside considerations of compensation, staffing budgets and overall athletic strategy when it convenes on the scheduled date.
The vote comes on the heels of a recent football coaching search that demonstrated how presidential recommendations do not automatically translate into board approval, a precedent that may inform the expectations of stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the athletic department has operated under interim leadership since the termination of Kevin Granger in March 2026, a period marked by both uncertainty and anticipation as the university seeks to chart a definitive course.