New TSU coach Nolan Smith on how he got 'People's Champ' title Former Duke All-American Nolan Smith, now the coach at Tennessee State, said his knack for connecting with people was the basis for his nickname. First-year coach Nolan Smith has led the Tennessee State men's basketball team to its best season in decades.The Tigers secured their most-ever Division I wins and a regular-season Ohio Valley Conference championship.Smith's former coach at Duke, Mike Krzyzewski, has been following and supporting the team's success. A celebrating Tennessee State men’s basketball team hadn’t yet left the arena, and Tigers coach Nolan Smith was already on his phone, discussing what was next. The guy on...
