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Texas Southern is hiring a new basketball coach.
Texas Southern is set to make a coaching hire for the 2026 college basketball season. The players on the roster do not approve of the administration’s decision.
A protest was held hours before the hire was set to be announced. Current players gathered alongside fans to voice their dismay.
Student sports journalist David Hill IV has boots on the ground. He’s detailed the wild saga from campus in Houston.
BREAKING: Texas Southern men’s basketball players and students are rallying at the President’s Office today in support of interim HC Shyrone Chatman becoming the program’s permanent head coach. The group is expected to arrive around 11:45 a.m. pic.twitter.com/oTtpYUpJp6
— David Hill IV (@DavidHillreport) August 18, 2026
Texas Southern is hiring a new basketball coach.
The Tigers were left without a coach following the departure of Johnny Jones to LSU. Jones left his post after guiding the program to three NCAA Tournament appearances in order join Will Wade’s staff.
That move was made public in April. Administrators have worked over the last few months to find his replacement.
During the transition, Shyrone Chatman was named the interim coach. He recruited the roster in the offseason. He’s been working tirelessly to get the Tigers ready for the upcoming season.
Texas Southern tips off in less than three months. They still do not have a head coach. That will reportedly change on Wednesday. The interim coach will not be promoted.
School president JW Crawford has identified Seton Hall assistant Corey Lowery as his guy. He is expected to be hired this week.
Players oppose that decision. They gave a last-ditch effort to keep Chatman as head coach with an on-campus protest.
Students and Athletes outside the President’s office. pic.twitter.com/qYb4Tq6ImM
— David Hill IV (@DavidHillreport) August 18, 2026
Those pleas will go unheard. Lowery will be hired on Wednesday. Chatman will not be rewarded for his offseason efforts.
After the protest, players met with the president to make their case. They were unable to change Crawford’s mind.
Meeting has concluded, with the players sitting down with President Crawford.
I’m told by multiple sources in attendance that President Crawford reaffirmed his desire to hire Seton Hall assistant coach Corey Lowery as the program’s next head coach.
— David Hill IV (@DavidHillreport) August 18, 2026
“Why waste a year?” was his response to the pushback from Texas Southern basketball players.
Student-athletes are concerned with their futures amid a coaching change. They made their pledges to Chatman. Will they be honored by the new staff?
Texas Southern basketball players,,
students, and alumni are protesting near President Crawford’s office! H/t David Hill, @hbculegends contributor. pic.twitter.com/LuV98YFb2y— Kyle T. Mosley (@KyleTMosley) August 18, 2026
It appears that Corey Lowery will be the next Texas Southern basketball coach. That will please the president, but not the student body.
His Year 1 performance will undoubtedly be put under the microscope in 2026. We’ll soon see if the right decision was made.