Greg Tipps resigns from Loretto basketball to accept position at UT Southern

After leading Loretto boys basketball for the past nine seasons, coach Greg Tipps has resigned to accept a position at the next level.

Tipps has been hired as the women's basketball coach at Tennessee Southern, the school announced on May 12. He closes his high school coaching career with two TSSAA basketball state championships at Loretto and 493 career victories across stops at Coffee County, Dickson County, Moore County, Stone Memorial and Loretto.

"I'm incredibly honored and excited to become the next head women's basketball coach at UT Southern," Tipps said in a news release. "This program has already established itself as one of the rising programs in the NAIA and I'm grateful for the opportunity to build on that success. I want to thank Brandie Paul and the administration for believing in me and my vision for this program. My family and I are excited to join the Firehawk community and get to work."

Loretto's Kylon Wilkerson (3) drives to the basket as Chattanooga Prep's Reid Conley (0) guards him during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

Loretto's Grant Fisher (22) passes the ball during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

Loretto's Mason Tidwell (13) drives to the basket as Chattanooga Prep's Kentrell Watkins (2) guards him during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

Loretto's Mason Tidwell (13) goes up for a layup as Chattanooga Prep's Reid Conley (0) blocks him during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

Loretto's Mason Tidwell (13) shoots the ball during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

Loretto's Mason Tidwell (13) passes the ball during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

Loretto's Mason Tidwell (13) goes for a layup as Chattanooga Prep's Joel Bulis (20) and Chattanooga Prep's Derrick Roberson (30) guard him during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

Loretto's Mason Tidwell (13) brings the ball up the court during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

Loretto's Mason Tidwell (13) goes up for a layup as Chattanooga Prep's Derrick Roberson (30) blocks him during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

Chattanooga Prep's Derrick Roberson (30) and Reid Conley (0) smile as they walk off the court after scoring during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

Loretto's Jayden Aaron (23) drives to the basket as Chattanooga Prep's Marquis Gardner (11) guards him during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

Loretto's Mason Tidwell (13) goes for a layup during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

Loretto's Grant Fisher (22) goes for a layup during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

Chattanooga Prep's Tavion Foster (5) guards Loretto's Casen Springer (11) as he drives to the basket during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

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See Day 3 semifinal photos from 2026 TSSAA boys state basketball

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See Day 3 semifinal photos from 2026 TSSAA boys state basketball

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See Day 3 semifinal photos from 2026 TSSAA boys state basketball

Loretto's Grant Fisher (22) passes the ball during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

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See Day 3 semifinal photos from 2026 TSSAA boys state basketball

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See Day 3 semifinal photos from 2026 TSSAA boys state basketball

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See Day 3 semifinal photos from 2026 TSSAA boys state basketball

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See Day 3 semifinal photos from 2026 TSSAA boys state basketball

Loretto's Mason Tidwell (13) shoots the ball during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

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See Day 3 semifinal photos from 2026 TSSAA boys state basketball

Loretto's Mason Tidwell (13) passes the ball during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

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See Day 3 semifinal photos from 2026 TSSAA boys state basketball

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See Day 3 semifinal photos from 2026 TSSAA boys state basketball

Loretto's Mason Tidwell (13) brings the ball up the court during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

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See Day 3 semifinal photos from 2026 TSSAA boys state basketball

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See Day 3 semifinal photos from 2026 TSSAA boys state basketball

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See Day 3 semifinal photos from 2026 TSSAA boys state basketball

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See Day 3 semifinal photos from 2026 TSSAA boys state basketball

Loretto's Mason Tidwell (13) goes for a layup during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

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See Day 3 semifinal photos from 2026 TSSAA boys state basketball

Loretto's Grant Fisher (22) goes for a layup during the Class 2A semifinal game in the TSSAA BlueCross State Championships in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 20, 2026.

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See Day 3 semifinal photos from 2026 TSSAA boys state basketball

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Tipps, a Moore County alum, coached two stints at Loretto, leading the girls program from 2007-14, making two final four appearances, before later taking over the boys program in 2017. Tipps led Loretto boys to four state tournament appearances, claiming state titles in 2018 and 2025.

The Mustangs most recent title in 2025 capped off an unbeaten season, as Loretto became the first public school since Union City in 2008 to finish a campaign undefeated.

Tipps becomes the 11th head coach in the UT Southern's four-year history, looking to build upon a successful campaign in which the Firehawks finished No. 24 in the final NAIA women's basketball Top 25 poll.

"Coach Tipps has been successful at every stop of his career, and we are excited to welcome him to the Firehawk family," UT Southern Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Brandie Paul said. "His ability to build winning programs, develop student-athletes, and lead with integrity makes him a tremendous fit for our university and women's basketball program."

Harrison Campbell covers high school sports and more for The Daily Herald. Email him at hcampbell@usatodayco.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @hccamp.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Greg Tipps hired by UT Southern women's basketball, leaves Loretto