UT Martin basketball coach Anthony Stewart dies suddenly at 50

University of Tennessee men’s basketball coach at Martin, Anthony Stewart, died suddenly on Sunday. He was 50 years old. Stewart’s passing comes as the team were due to open their season later this month. He was about to enter his fifth season at the helm of the Skyhawks program.

“We are amazed to hear this tragic news,” said Skyhawk sporting director Kurt McGuffin. “Coach Stewart has been a true leader for each of the young men he has coached. He emphasized the meaning of a college degree and instilled professionalism in each of his student-athletes. We ask privacy during this difficult time. “

The cause of Stewart’s death at this time is unknown. Jeff Goodman of the stadium reports he tested negative for COVID-19 last Monday.

Stewart took over as coach of UT Martin in 2016 when he was promoted from associate head coach to head coach to succeed Heath Schroyer. In his first season, he guided the Skyhawks to 22 wins, tying the school record for most wins in a single season. That season, the Skyhawks won their first-ever Ohio Valley Conference West Division Championship.

“What I will remember the most about Coach Stewart is his drive to develop our young men to become leaders in their communities, leaders in the workforce and leaders at home.” said UT Martin Chancellor Dr Keith Carver. “He always emphasized the development of the whole person, well beyond athletics.”

Martin began his athletic career as a baseball and basketball player at Mount Union in the early 1990s. At first he paid his dues as an assistant on the small varsity circuit – in Columbus State. and Long Beach State – before breaking through as an assistant in Wyoming in 2007. He then made stops as an assistant in southern Illinois. , Ohio and UT Martin in the years that followed before UT Martin elevated him to his head coach position.

It is unclear at this time who will take over the program following Stewart’s sudden death. Whoever it is will inherit a team that scored 9-20 last season but boasts many talented stars, including Parker Stewart, Anthony’s son, who left Pittsburgh in 2018 to play for his father. Stewart averaged 19.2 points per game last season.