Texas Southern Board to Vote on Athletic Director and Men's Basketball Coach Amid Search Controversy
Texas Southern's Board of Regents will vote on Wednesday on Ashley Robinson for athletic director and Corey Lowery for men's basketball coach. While both committees unanimously recommended Robinson, neither endorsed Lowery, raising questions about the hiring process. The board's decision will determine the future leadership of the athletic department.
The vacancies arose from a turbulent period. The athletic director role opened after Dr. Kevin Granger faced a civil lawsuit alleging misconduct, prompting administrative leave and independent Title VII and Title IX investigations. Simultaneously, the men's basketball coach resigned abruptly on the first day of the transfer portal.
The upcoming vote highlights a procedural anomaly. While Robinson secured unanimous backing from both review committees, Lowery advanced without any endorsement. This discrepancy has prompted alumni to question whether Board Chairman James M. Benham holds outsized influence over final decisions, particularly regarding the basketball hire.
This vote could shape institutional credibility at Texas Southern. If the board approves a candidate rejected by its own committees, it may erode trust in governance among students, faculty, and alumni. Conversely, rejecting the president's pick could signal a shift toward more transparent hiring. The outcome may also influence how other HBCU programs handle leadership transitions during sensitive legal and reputational challenges.