CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Austin Peay men’s basketball team just finished a historic season. They finished with a 22-9 record and 15-3 in conference play. The team accomplished its most overall wins since 2018-19, most conference wins since 2007-08, and averaged its most points per game since 2018-19. As a result, the Govs took home their first regular-season conference championship since 2008.
After that historic regular season, the Govs earned the No. 2 seed in the ASUN Tournament. The Govs earned a first-round bye in the tournament and then knocked off the Stetson Hatters in the second round.
Unfortunately, the Govs fell to the Queens Royals in the semifinal round, ending what was an incredible season. After the record-breaking campaign, head coach Corey Gipson sat down with Clarksville Now to reflect and also talk about the future.
Corey Gipson explains why Clarksville is special
Shortly after the conclusion of the regular season, it was announced that Gipson had signed a contract extension to keep him in his role through 2030.
In the current climate of college athletics, it’s common for head coaches of smaller schools like Austin Peay to be scooped up by bigger programs after successful seasons. There undoubtedly would have been outside interest in Gipson, but the coach didn’t hesitate to sign on for more time in Stacheville.
“Austin Peay has birthed me in a lot of ways,” Gipson said. “This community has done nothing but extend unconditional love to my family and me. This place is special.”
Gipson has a long history with Austin Peay. The coach played for the Govs from 2002 to 2004 and then returned as an assistant coach from 2012 to 2015. After one year as the head coach at Northwestern State, Gipson returned to Clarksville as the head coach in 2023.
The Govs set multiple attendance records this season, and Gipson wanted to express that that support makes a major difference. “Community support helped expedite the success of this program,” said Gipson. “That is unique. You don’t find this everywhere.”
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Now, Gipson is hoping to carry the momentum from this season onto the next one.
“You can trust and believe that we are truly anchored here,” said the coach. “This place means the world to us.”
Gipson’s thoughts on this season
Everybody’s ultimate goal is to win the conference tournament and make an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Govs fell just short of that goal this season, but that doesn’t mean the season wasn’t a success. “There is no bad ending to a great story,” said Gipson. “Everybody just hates for the story to end.”
You can’t have a successful program without a supportive administration. Gipson made sure to mention that director of athletics Jordan Harmon and university president Mike Licari were instrumental in this season’s success.
“(AD Jordan Harmon) is an alum; he’s got a lot of energy. The way that President Licari infuses this institution with his energy, effort, and enthusiasm is really special,” said Gipson.
What’s next for the Govs
As for the future, Gipson is convinced that the Govs will be able to carry this positive momentum forward. The coach explained the importance of roster retention and also making sure that everybody that is brought in is not only a fit on the court, but a culture fit as well.
“We’re very selective, very methodical, in our (player acquisition) process,” said Gipson. “We’re not going to take in the wrong person.”
Gipson’s staff did an excellent job of identifying talent in the transfer portal last season. Collin Parker, Rashaud Marshall, Matt Enright, Travis Torain, and Creighton Morisch were all added via the portal, and all played key roles on the 2025-26 squad.
No matter what the roster looks like, Gipson knows there’s still work to be done. “We’ve got some unfinished business,” he said. “We’ve definitely got some unfinished business.”
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