Austin Peay Alumnus Corey Gipson To Lead Governors Men’s Basketball
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University Vice President and Director of Athletics Gerald Harrison announced Sunday that alumnus Corey Gipson has been named the 14th head men’s basketball coach in Governors’ history.
CSA is grateful to have assisted Harrison and Governors Athletics with the search.
“It’s a great day to be a Gov,” said Harrison. “We are so excited to welcome an Austin Peay champion back home to Clarksville as our men’s basketball coach! Not only is Corey an alumnus and a winner; he is a man that believes in the principles of the ‘Total Gov Concept.’ His life and career represent each of its tenets. I can’t wait for Coach ‘Gip’ and his staff to get to work energizing this community and adding the first banner to the new F&M Bank Arena!”
Gipson, a two-time Austin Peay graduate who played at Austin Peay for two seasons (2002-04) and worked as an assistant coach for Dave Loos for three seasons (2012-15), was the head coach at Northwestern State during the 2022-23 season. In his first year as a head coach, Gipson turned around a Demons program that won nine games the year prior his arrival. He led the Demons to a 22-9 record, a win at then-No. 15 TCU, and a No. 2 seed in the Southland Conference Tournament.
“The cycle of life is such a dynamic process,” said Gipson. “Sometimes, in life, you have to go back to where it all started. My family and I are very grateful to have the opportunity to return home. I would like to thank Dr. Licari and Gerald for their commitment and vision of reawakening the competitive pulse of the men’s basketball program.”
In his lone year at Northwestern State, Gipson is a finalist for the Ben Jobe Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top Division I minority coach. He also is a finalist for the Hugh Durham Coach of the Year Award, which is annually given to the top DI mid-major head coach, and the Joe B. Hall Award, which is annually presented to the top first-time head coach at the DI level. Gipson led the Demons to their first 20-win season in a decade and became the first coach in program history to win 20 games during their debut season. Gipson’s 64-63 win at TCU, Nov. 14, also was the program’s first win against an Associated Press Top 25 team since the 2006 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.
“It is great to have Corey back – again – at Austin Peay,” said APSU President Michael Licari. “As a two-time graduate of Austin Peay, the 2012 Young Alumnus of the Year, and former assistant coach, he’s familiar with the university, the community, and the rich history of Austin Peay basketball. As the new head coach, he knows the potential of the program and shares a vision for great things to come as we launch a new era of Austin Peay men’s basketball!”
Before his time at Northwestern State, Gipson spent seven years at Missouri State and was the Bears’ associate head coach for six of those seasons. The Bears won 13 games during Gipson’s first year in Springfield, before averaging 17.8 wins per season during his six years after being promoted to associate head coach. Before coaching at Missouri State, Gipson was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Austin Peay for three seasons.
Prior to coaching at his alma mater, Gipson spent three years at UNC Greensboro and served as the associate head coach for the final two seasons. Gipson began his coaching career at DII Virginia State, where he worked as an assistant coach for longtime Austin Peay assistant coach Tony Collins, who recruited Gipson to APSU.
As a player at Austin Peay, Gipson was a two-year starter at point guard, helping the Govs become the top defensive team in the OVC in 2002-03 and 2003-04. The Govs went 45-18 in his two seasons and Gipson never lost a game in the Winfield Dunn Center, with the Govs going 27-0 at home during his time in Clarksville.
Gipson received his bachelor’s degree from Austin Peay in 2004 and earned a master’s degree from APSU in 2005. Gipson was named the Austin Peay Young Alumnus of the Year in 2012.
He and his wife, April, have three children: Jordan, Tanner, and Frankie.
For the full release from Austin Peay Athletics, click HERE.
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