CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Austin Peay men’s basketball team had a historic 2025-26 season, and as a result, head coach Corey Gipson has received a contract extension.
The school announced the move on Friday morning, and Gipson will now be under contract through the 2029-30 season.
The extension comes after Gipson led the Govs to their first regular season ASUN Championship. Gipson’s squad ended the season with a 22-9 overall record and a 15-3 mark in conference play. The team only lost one home game all season and ended with their most conference wins in a season since 2007-08.
Since taking over the program at Austin Peay ahead of the 2023-24 season, Gipson has compiled an overall record of 55-41 and a combined conference record of 33-19.
Gipson played for Austin Peay from 2002 to 2004 and helped the team win two Ohio Valley Conference regular season titles and one OVC Tournament title. Gipson joined his former head coach Dave Loos’ staff as an assistant in 2012 and remained on staff until 2015.
Gipson, Govs earned numerous honors in 2025-26 season
As mentioned above, the Govs accomplished plenty this season. In addition to the team accomplishments, Austin Peay also earned a record six ASUN postseason honors.
Collin Parker was the first Governor to be tabbed the ASUN Newcomer of the Year and a First Team All-ASUN selection, Zyree Collins earned ASUN Freshman of the Year honors and was an ASUN All-Freshman Team and Third Team All-ASUN selection, while Rashaud Marshall garnered Second Team All-ASUN honors.
Gipson was also nominated for some honors in his own right. For the second time in three seasons, Gipson was named a finalist for the Ben Jobe Award, which is presented to the top minority head coach in Division I, while also being named a finalist for the Hugh Durham Award, given to the top mid-major coach in college basketball.
What Gipson extension means
Extending Gipson ensures that the Govs’ basketball team will have stability and hopefully build off of recent success.
In this day and age, it’s harder and harder for mid-major basketball schools to keep coaches and players. Just down the road, the Belmont men’s team just lost their head coach to Kansas State. Undoubtedly, Gipson would have received interest from other schools looking to take a leap.
Being able to keep Gipson in town proves that this administration is dedicated to building a consistent winner in Stacheville.
“It is a great time to be a Gov, as we announce that Austin Peay alumnus Corey Gipson will remain our head basketball coach for years to come,” said athletic director Jordan Harmon. “In his three years at the helm of Governors basketball, Corey has not only established a winning culture and brought a championship back to Clarksville, but he has revitalized the Clarksville, Montgomery County, and Fort Campbell communities.”
Now, all attention can be given to retaining the players on the current roster and recruiting for next season. Don’t expect the Govs to go away any time soon.
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