Tennessee State University has placed athletic director Dr. Mikki Allen on administrative leave as the university continues an internal investigation into concerns surrounding the leadership of its athletics department. The announcement was made Thursday by TSU President Dwayne Tucker, marking the latest development in a situation that has been unfolding for nearly two months.
According to Tucker, the investigation was launched after the university received an open letter on May 28 signed by six of the Tigers’ head coaches. The letter expressed a vote of no confidence in Allen’s leadership, citing concerns over communication, operational management, transparency, and the overall direction of the athletics department.
The coaches who signed the letter include:
- Football head coach Reggie Barlow
- Men’s basketball head coach Nolan Smith
- Women’s basketball head coach Candice Dupree
- Track and field head coach Chandra Cheeseborough
- Volleyball head coach Donika Sutton
- Softball head coach Genee McRath
In a statement, Tucker said the university took the coaches’ concerns seriously and immediately initiated an internal review.
“Effective today, TSU athletic director Dr. Mikki Allen has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation,” Tucker said.
The university has not released details regarding the specific allegations being investigated, citing the matter as an active personnel issue. TSU also announced that an interim athletic director will be named in the coming days.
Allen has served as Tennessee State’s athletic director since 2020 and has overseen several significant developments within the department, including facility improvements, fundraising efforts, and the hiring of several high-profile coaches, including Barlow, Smith, and Dupree.
The decision to place Allen on leave represents one of the most significant administrative developments at Tennessee State in recent years. With football season approaching and multiple athletic programs preparing for competition, the university now faces the challenge of maintaining stability while the investigation runs its course.
For now, the future of the athletic department’s leadership remains uncertain as university officials work toward concluding the investigation.
