Texas Southern University officially named Corey Lowery as head men's basketball coach on August 19, 2026, but the path to the announcement was anything but routine. The hire capped a contentious four-month search that included campus protests, failed committee votes, and allegations of improper process.
A Contentious Search
The coaching vacancy opened in April 2026 when former coach Johnny Jones departed. Interim coach Shyrone Chatman stepped in and began building relationships with players, overseeing recruiting and summer operations. But despite Chatman's growing support among the team and student body, the university's leadership pursued other candidates.
In the days leading up to the Board of Regents' vote, players, students, and alumni held demonstrations on campus to support Chatman's retention. Despite a meeting between university President J.W. Crawford III and the protesting student-athletes, the board proceeded with Lowery's selection in a 6-1 vote during a special session.
Who Is Corey Lowery?
Lowery arrives with 27 years of coaching experience, including 13 seasons as a collegiate head coach and a career record of 266-73. His most recent position was as an assistant at Seton Hall University, where he helped the staff secure the 2024 NIT National Championship.
His HBCU experience includes a stint as head coach at Lincoln University (Pennsylvania), where he was named CIAA Coach of the Year for 2021-22. He also held head coaching positions at Essex County College and Middlesex County College, achieving multiple conference and region championships at both stops.
Looking Forward
Lowery acknowledged the tensions within the program and expressed his intention to integrate the current roster into his coaching culture. His hiring came on the same day the university announced Ashley Robinson as its new vice president of athletics, signaling a full-scale leadership overhaul for TSU's athletic department.
*Reported by the Urban City Podcast Sports newsroom — urbancitypodcastsports.com. Verified as of August 19, 2026.*