Tennessee State Tigers football

Tennessee State Tigers football
Tennessee State Tigers football
	2025 Tennessee State Tigers football team
First season	1912; 113 years ago
Athletic director	Dr. Mikki Allen
Head coach	Reggie Barlow
Stadium	Nissan Stadium and Hale Stadium; (capacity: 69,143 and 10,000)
Year built	1999
Field surface	Tifsport Bermuda Sod
Location	Nashville, Tennessee
NCAA division	Division I FCS
Conference	OVC–Big South
Past conferences	SIAC (1926–1929); MAA (1945–1966)
All-time record	555–288–33 (.652)
Bowl record	8–1–1 (.850)
Claimed national titles	12 ; (Div. II): 1973 (Poll); (Black College): 1946, 1947, 1954, 1956, 1965, 1966, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1979, 1982, 2013
Unclaimed national titles	4 (Black College):1953, 1983, 1984, 2012
Playoff appearances	7
Playoff record	3–6
Conference titles	17
Colors	Reflex blue and white;
Website	TSUTigers.com

The Tennessee State Tigers football program represents Tennessee State University in the sport of American football. The Tigers compete in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as member of the OVC–Big South Football Association.

Quick facts First season, Athletic director ...

Year	Coach	Record	Championship
1946	Henry A. Kean	10–1	Black College National Champions
1947	Henry A. Kean	10–0	Black College National Champions
1954	Henry A. Kean	10–1	Black College National Champions
1956	Howard C. Gentry	10–0	Black College National Champions
1965	John A. Merritt	9–0–1	Black College National Champions
1966	John A. Merritt	10–0	Black College National Champions
1970	John A. Merritt	11–0	Black College National Champions
1971	John A. Merritt	9–1	Black College National Champions
1973	John A. Merritt	10–0	AP & UPI College Division National Champions Black College National Champions
1979	John A. Merritt	8–3	Black College National Champions
1982	John A. Merritt	10–1–1	Black College National Champions
2013	Rod Reed	10–4	Black College National Champions

Year	Coach	Conference	Conference Record
1945	Henry A. Kean	Midwest Athletic Association	3–0
1946	Henry A. Kean	Midwestern Conference	3–0
1947	Henry A. Kean	Midwestern Conference	3–0
1949	Henry A. Kean	Midwestern Conference	4–0
1954	Henry A. Kean	Midwestern Conference	4–0
1956	Howard C. Gentry	Midwestern Conference	4–0
1957	Howard C. Gentry	Midwestern Conference	3–0
1959	Howard C. Gentry	Midwestern Conference	3–0
1960	Howard C. Gentry	Midwestern Conference	3–0
1961	Lawrence E. Simmons	Midwestern Conference	3–0
1963	John A. Merritt	Midwest Conference	3–0
1964	John A. Merritt	Midwestern Conference	3–0
1965	John A. Merritt	Midwestern Conference	2–0
1966	John A. Merritt	Midwestern Conference	2–0
1998	Lawrence C. Cole	Ohio Valley Conference	6–1
1999	Lawrence C. Cole	Ohio Valley Conference	7–0
2024	Eddie George	Big South–OVC Football Association	6–2

Season	Bowl	Opponent	Result
1944	Vulcan Bowl	Tuskegee	W 12–7
1945	Vulcan Bowl	Texas College	W 33–6
1946	Vulcan Bowl	Louisville Municipal College	W 32–0
1954	National Classic	North Carolina College	L 6–19
1956	Orange Blossom Classic	Florida A&M	W 41–39
1965	Grantland Rice Bowl	Ball State	T 14–14
1966	Grantland Rice Bowl	Muskingum	W 34–7
1970	Grantland Rice Bowl	Southwestern Louisiana	W 26–25
1971	Grantland Rice Bowl	McNeese State	W 26–23
1972	Pioneer Bowl	Drake	W 29–7

Year	Round	Opponent	Result
1981	Quarterfinals	South Carolina State	L 25–26 ^OT
1982	Quarterfinals Semifinals	Eastern Illinois Eastern Kentucky	W 20–19 L 7–13
1986	First Round Quarterfinals	Jackson State Nevada	W 32–23 L 6–33
1998	First Round	Appalachian State	L 31–45
1999	First Round	North Carolina A&T	L 10–24
2013	First Round Second Round	Butler Eastern Illinois	W 31–0 L 10–51
2024	First Round	Montana	L 27–41

History