University of Tennessee Head Basketball Coach Found Dead At Age 50

The University of Tennessee at Martin head basketball coach Anthony Stewart has been found dead.

Stewart was only 50 years old, and his body was found on Sunday, just before his fifth season with the Skyhawks was about to start.

His cause of death is not immediately known, and the players were notified by the school late Sunday afternoon.

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

Stewart signed on as an associate head coach with the school in 2014 under Heath Schroyer. Since then, the Skyhawks have won 94 games,  the most in any six-year span since the University of Tennessee Martin became Division I and made school history with three straight 20-win seasons between 2014 and 2017.