JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Apr. 20, 2026) – The Bucs will have the same man in charge next year and well beyond.

ETSU announced men's basketball head coach Brooks Savage has signed a contract extension through the 2028-29 season on Monday. The extension includes a raise on the heels of a 2025-26 campaign where the Bucs won the SoCon regular season title and played in the SoCon tournament championship game for the second time in three years.

"East Tennessee State University and this community are very special to me and my family," Savage said on Monday. "I've spent more time here than anywhere else in my career. It's like my coaching alma mater. I'd like to thank [ETSU President] Dr. Noland and [Director of Athletics] Dr. Sander for the opportunity to lead this program and together we will continue to chase greatness and compete for championships." 

ETSU put together an historic season in Savage's third year in charge. The 2025-26 Bucs were the 15th team in 106 seasons of ETSU men's basketball to win 23 or more games in one season. The team finished 25th in the nation in field goal percentage, 24th in steals per game, 36th in effective field goal percentage and 56th in scoring defense, leading the SoCon in all four categories as well as field goal percentage defense, scoring margin, turnover margin, and turnovers forced per game.

"Coach Savage has done an outstanding job leading our men's basketball program, and we are excited to extend his contract," said ETSU Director of Athletics Dr. Richard Sander. "In his time here, he has done an excellent job, and this past season's regular-season conference championship is a clear reflection of the standard he has established. We look forward to the continued success of ETSU men's basketball under Brooks' leadership."

Through three seasons, Savage is 61-40 at ETSU and has the fourth-highest winning percentage in program history (.604) as well as the third-highest winning percentage among coaches with 100 or more games coached, trailing only Alan LeForce and Steve Forbes.

Season ticket renewals for the 2026-27 season will begin in the near future. For more information on ETSU men's basketball, go to ETSUBucs.com.