After leading the Savannah State Tigers to a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) title and an NCAA Tournament berth, Clevan Thompson has officially been named the head coach of the Savannah State University (SSU) men's basketball program. The announcement was made on June 6, 2025, by the SSU school's athletic department.
Thompson, who stepped in as interim head coach on January 6 following the midseason retirement of longtime coach Horace Broadnax, guided the Tigers to a 13-6 overall record and a perfect 7-0 home mark during the second half of the 2024–25 season. Under his leadership, SSU captured the 2025 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Men's Basketball Tournament championship, earning a spot in the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament.
This coaching promotion makes Thompson the 12th head coach in program history, and it's a full-circle moment for the SSU alum. He earned his bachelor's degree in computer information systems from Savannah State and returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach during the 2023–24 season.
From 2010 to 2023, Coach Thompson guided Bethesda Academy for 13 seasons, achieving an impressive overall record of 265 wins, 137 losses, and one tie. During his tenure, his teams made it to the Final Four 12 times and secured state championships in 2012 (GISA) and 2015 (SCISA AAA).
Thompsons' transition from community coach to a college head men's basketball coach now brings his player development mindset and local ties to a program looking to build on a strong finish. His vision includes developing student-athletes on and off the court, focusing on classroom success, competition, and community success, as stated in the Savannah Sports Report on April 30, 2025.
Hey Look LIVE-SSU's Coach Thompson & BC's Bear Dollander Join The Karl DeMasi Sports Report 4.30.25
With the permanent title and momentum behind the program, Coach Thompson will look to continue the Tigers' winning ways in the upcoming 2025–26 season—this time without the "interim" tag.
Photo Credits: Courtesy of Savannah State Athletics Department website
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