PULASKI, Tenn. – Martin Methodist College (now the University of Tennessee Southern) has named Coach Brandie Paul as its Athletic Director. Coach Paul follows in a line of legendary athletic directors including Joe Hardin, Kermit Smith, and Jeff Bain. Coach Bain finishes his service as Senior Athletic Director June 30 and has been honored by the institution with the title Athletic Director Emeritus.
In 2021, Coach Paul entered her 20th season at the helm of the RedHawk Softball team. Since her 2001 arrival, Coach Paul has accumulated 700-plus career victories with 14 consecutive postseason appearances and 13 straight seasons with a record above .500. Along with her duties as Head Softball Coach, she has also served as Associate Athletic Director.
“Coach Paul is the winningest coach in Martin’s history. She has a proven record of success, passion, and commitment to the program. This past year has been a trial by fire, as she helped lead the program through a host of challenges related to the pandemic while fulfilling her head coaching duties. We are blessed to have her as we start a new chapter in athletics with the pending transition to UT Southern,” said UTS (formerly MMC) President Dr. Mark La Branche.
“I want say that I’m truly honored to be the 4th and final Athletic Director at UTS (formerly MMC), and I am excited to lead the way into the new era as UT Southern. I feel as if my winning traditions on the field of play as well as the strong relationships I’ve built with my colleagues will help me serve our student athletes in a greater capacity. I want to thank Dr. La Branche for the opportunity and guidance to move forward in my professional career. I look forward to my new role at UT Southern,” said Coach Paul.
Grant Fairchild, Director of Sports Medicine, commented, “I’ve known/worked with Brandie for 19 years now at UTS (formerly MMC). She has always been a great coach with great integrity when it comes to her Softball program here at UTS (formerly MMC). I have no doubt that she will lead our athletic department with that same integrity.”
Coach Paul is only the fourth AD in UTS (formerly MMC) history and the first woman to lead the program.
The University of Tennessee Southern, formerly Martin Methodist College, is the newest member of the University of Tennessee System. Founded in 1870 , UTS offers (number of degrees) associate, baccalaureate and graduate degrees. UTS is located on an historic campus in Pulaski, among the beautiful rolling hills of southern Middle Tennessee. The University of Tennessee Southern is convenient to both Nashville (70 miles north) and Huntsville, Alabama (40 miles south).