SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah State University men’s basketball coach Horace Broadnax announced his retirement Monday after 20 seasons leading the Tigers. Assistant coach Clevan Thompson will immediately assume the interim head coach role.
“We are deeply grateful for Coach Broadnax’s leadership and dedication to Savannah State basketball,” Director of Athletics Opio Mashariki said. “His contributions to the program are immeasurable, and we wish him all the best as he steps into the next chapter of his life.”
Broadnax joined Savannah State as the program’s 11th head coach on April 11, 2005. He led the Tigers to three championships and numerous milestones during his tenure. The 2011-12 season marked a turning point, as the Tigers claimed their first-ever Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) regular-season title with a 14-2 record, earning a spot in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The team repeated the feat in 2018 with another MEAC regular-season championship.
Broadnax also guided the Tigers to CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) appearances in 2013 and 2016. Most recently, in 2022, the Tigers won the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) tournament, securing an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament.
“I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished at Savannah State and feel fortunate to have been part of this program for so long,” Broadnax said. “I’m excited for what the future holds for both myself and the team.”
Thompson, a 2003 Savannah State graduate with a degree in computer information systems, brings a wealth of coaching experience to his new role.
He spent nearly two decades coaching boys’ basketball at Bethesda Academy, leading his teams to 12 Final Four appearances, eight state championship games, and two state titles. His accolades include the 2012 Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) state championship and the 2015 South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) Class AAA state title.
“I’m honored to step into this position and lead the Tigers,” Thompson said. “Coach Broadnax has built a strong foundation, and I’m committed to continuing the success of this program.”