NASHVILLE — Tennessee State men's basketball coach Nolan Smith has added TSU Athletics Hall of Famer and NBA veteran Robert Covington to his staff as chief basketball officer.

Covington's role will center on player relations, community and campus engagement, and team activities. He will support players' professional, social and personal development while serving as a liaison between the program, players and their families.

"Rob Covington is a major pillar in TSU basketball history and HBCU basketball history," Smith said. "It is an absolute honor to bring him back to this program. He will wear many hats and will be an important part of where we are going. Rob has become family during my first year in Nashville, and I am beyond excited to continue building with someone who gave his blood, sweat and tears to TSU basketball."

He will also work with basketball operations and TSU Athletics' external relations staff to develop and maintain strategic partnerships.

"I bleed TSU, and I always have," Covington said. "This is another milestone I'm incredibly grateful for. I'm beyond blessed to now be part of this program full time, and I'm truly excited about what we are building together. This is bigger than basketball. This is about TSU, our people and our program, and building something special that lasts. The best is yet to come."

Covington played for Tennessee State from 2009-13, appearing in 118 games with 112 starts. He averaged 14.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks while shooting 47.6% from the field and 42.2% from 3-point range.

The three-time All-OVC selection earned first-team honors in 2011-12 and was named the CollegeInsider.com OVC co-MVP that season. He was also a two-time BOXTOROW HBCU All-American and was inducted into the TSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2024.

After going undrafted in 2013, Covington signed with the Houston Rockets and began his professional career with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He was named NBA Development League Rookie of the Year and All-Star Game MVP and earned first-team all-league honors.

Covington went on to play for Houston, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Portland and the LA Clippers. He appeared in 614 NBA regular-season games, making 466 starts, and averaged 10.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.5 steals. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2018.

On April 1, 2022, Covington scored a career-high 43 points and set a Clippers franchise record with 11 3-pointers against Milwaukee.