New Tennessee Tech Men’s Basketball Head Coach Tobin Anderson wants to end the Golden Eagles’ 63-year NCAA Tournament drought by building a winning culture around team chemistry, aggressive play and a commitment to the program.
Anderson said Tennessee Tech has not reached the NCAA Tournament since 1963, making the opportunity to accomplish something the program has not achieved in decades a major attraction. Anderson said his previous coaching experience has prepared him to take on the challenge of rebuilding the Golden Eagles.
“I think you want a challenge and you want to have a chance to go do things that’s not been done before, to establish yourself in a situation where there’s not been success and that’s a lot of fun,” Anderson said. “Climbing the mountain is a lot more fun than than starting at the top of the mountain.”
Anderson said recruiting players who prioritize team success has become especially important with the transfer portal reshaping college basketball. He said the coaching staff has focused on identifying players who fit the program’s expectations rather than simply assembling talent.
“In the recruiting process now especially with the portal you’ve got to be very selective and very good at at who you choose and make sure they’re here for the right reasons, make sure they’re here to to play for the name on the front not the name on the back,” Anderson said. “We have great kids in our program, we did a great job in the portal and we’ve gotten better.”
Anderson said the Golden Eagles are developing relationships through team retreats, group reading and activities such as Family Feud. With roster turnover making long-term development more difficult, he said establishing that chemistry before conference play is essential.
“It used to be you could wait and be patient and say well they’ll figure it out year two, year three, year four. Well now it’s a one year situation,” Anderson said. “We hope as time goes on more guys will stay and and stay here be part of this. As time goes on you you got to understand you’ve got to get this thing done by January and February by conference season.”
Anderson said Tennessee Tech will employ a fast-paced approach featuring defensive pressure, offensive rebounding and three-point shooting. He wants opponents adjusting to the Golden Eagles rather than allowing opposing teams to dictate the style of play.
“We’re trying to play our game as opposed to trying to to just stop the other team or defend them and we’d like to stop them but also make them adjust to us,” Anderson said.
Anderson said the university’s commitment to athletics and the support of the Cookeville community strengthened his belief that Tennessee Tech can become a successful basketball program. He said the Golden Eagles have made progress but still have significant work ahead.
“I’m an Iowa boy grew up in a small town there. I feel very home in Cookeville Tennessee and the people here are just great and we’re going to try to do special things at Tennessee Tech,” Anderson said. “We’re a long ways away, we’re just off to a good start, but there’s a long ways to go here but we feel like it can be a special basketball program here in Cookeville.”