Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University women's basketball head coach Candice Dupree has named Sam Pearson director of player development and assistant coach for the 2025-26 season. Pearson joins the Lady Tigers after a successful tenure at SEMO, where he contributed to the program's growth and success.

"We are thrilled to have Coach Pearson join our staff," said Dupree. "His extensive experience, both as a player and a coach, brings a wealth of knowledge to our program. His commitment to player development and his proven track record of success aligns perfectly with our vision for the Lady Tigers. I look forward to working alongside him to continue building a competitive and successful team."

Prior to his time at SEMO, Pearson served as the head women's basketball coach at Missouri Baptist University from 2018 to 2023. Under his leadership, the Spartans achieved their highest win total since 2010-11 and secured a spot in the NAIA National Tournament with a 24-6 record during the 2022-2023 season .

As a player, Pearson began his collegiate career at SEMO, where he played in 30 games, starting 27, during the 2009-10 season. He averaged 8.8 points per game and was the fourth leading scorer on the team. After transferring to Missouri Baptist University, Pearson led the Spartans in scoring with 16.2 points per game and free-throw percentage at .797 during the 2011-12 season.