Brandon Lockridge enters his third season as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Tennessee State in 2026-27, contributing to player development and bringing extensive knowledge of the university to head coach Nolan Smith’s staff. A former Tigers student-athlete and director of basketball operations, Lockridge combines on-court coaching experience with a strong background in program administration.
Lockridge helped Tennessee State achieve a historic season in 2025-26 as the Tigers finished 23-10 overall and 15-5 in Ohio Valley Conference play. TSU established a program record for victories in the NCAA Division I era, earned a share of its first OVC regular-season championship since 1994-95 and captured its first OVC Tournament championship and NCAA Tournament berth since 1994.
During the Tigers’ postseason run, Lockridge led the staff’s operations for the NCAA Tournament, drawing on his experience coordinating the program’s logistical needs. Tennessee State competed as the No. 15 seed in the Midwest Region and faced No. 2 seed Iowa State in St. Louis.
After serving two seasons as director of basketball operations, Lockridge was promoted to assistant coach ahead of the 2024-25 season. His current responsibilities emphasize player development, while his previous operations experience provides continuity and support for the program’s daily activities.
Lockridge is in his second stint on the Tennessee State men’s basketball staff. He previously served as director of basketball operations under former head coach Cy Alexander during the 2007-08 season following two years as a graduate assistant and video coordinator.
As a Tennessee State student-athlete, Lockridge served as a team co-captain during his senior season and established himself as one of the OVC’s top perimeter shooters. He finished his career ranked 10th in program history with 116 made 3-pointers.
During his junior season, Lockridge scored 18 points against Ohio State while shooting 6-of-9 from 3-point range and added a 20-point performance against Wyoming that included six made 3-pointers. He finished seventh in the OVC in 3-point shooting that season.
Lockridge’s coaching experience includes a stint at Columbia State Community College, where he joined Brian Collins’ staff in 2014. The Chargers reached consecutive NJCAA National Tournaments, advancing to the Elite Eight in 2014 and the Sweet 16 in 2015 while also claiming the 2015 Region 7 championship.
He later served as head coach at Nimitz High School, leading the Cougars to a 20-win season and their first playoff victory in more than a decade.
Lockridge earned his bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Tennessee State in 2004 and his master’s degree in human performance and sport sciences in 2007. He is the son of longtime Tennessee State administrator and former Dean of Student Affairs Dorothy Lockridge, who served the university for more than 40 years.
Lockridge and his wife, Tenisha, reside in Nashville.
