The Coaching Carousel for college basketball is a series where we break down contracts and candidates. You can read more about it here or dive deeper into Bryan Hodgson, Chris Mack, Travis Steele, Andy Newman, Jerrod Calhoun, or Takayo Siddle profiles.
As the college basketball coaching carousel inches closer to spinning at full speed, one name to watch is East Tennessee State’s Brooks Savage.
While it does not appear likely that Savage leaves this offseason, the industry pulse suggests he could be one of the hottest names on the market next year (never too early!). That projection is not meant to diminish what he has already accomplished in Johnson City. Since taking over the Buccaneers in 2023, Savage has continued to build on a program foundation he helped establish earlier in his career.
Savage was officially named ETSU’s 19th head coach on March 20, 2023, after previously serving as an assistant during the program’s historic 2015-2020 run. That stretch saw the Buccaneers compile a 130-43 record and win two Southern Conference titles while becoming one of the league’s most consistent programs. In his first season leading the Blue & Gold in 2023-24, Savage guided ETSU to 19 wins and a run to the Southern Conference Tournament championship game, but ultimately fell to “Bucky Ball” and Samford.
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Brooks Savage Contract
Brooks Savage signed a five-year agreement with East Tennessee State beginning March 20, 2023, and running through March 31, 2028.
Term
March 20, 2023 – March 31, 2028
Base Salary
$202,000 annually
Additional Compensation
$38,000 annually tied to community relations appearances, media obligations, promotional activities, and fundraising responsibilities.
Total Annual Compensation
$240,000
Interesting Bonus
Savage receives a $5,000 bonus for each win over a Power Conference opponent from the ACC, SEC, Big Ten, Pac-12, Big 12, or Big East, provided that opponent holds a .500 record or better at the time of the game.
SoCon Coach of the Year
$10,000 bonus (triggered in the 2025-26 season)
Brooks Savage Buyout Provision
If Savage resigns during the term of the contract to accept another coaching position at a college or university, he must provide written notice to the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and pay a buyout equal to his annual base salary at the time of resignation ($202,000).
The payment must be made within 60 days of providing notice.
Brooks Savage Overview
Overall, Savage has compiled a 61-40 record (.606) through three seasons as head coach, including a 33-21 mark in Southern Conference play.
| Year | Overall | SoCon | Place |
| 2023–24 | 19–16 | 8–10 | T–7th |
| 2024–25 | 19–13 | 12–6 | T–3rd |
| 2025–26 | 23-11 | 13–5 | 1st |
Savage’s coaching roots run deep in the region. His official coaching career began in 2008 as a graduate assistant at Tennessee, and he has spent nearly his entire career within the Tennessee and Appalachian footprint. Aside from one season at Northwest Florida State (2011–12), every stop has been within roughly a 200-mile radius. Before entering the profession full-time, Savage also served as a student manager and staff assistant at Tennessee as an undergraduate, working with the Volunteers’ program during a stretch that included multiple NCAA Tournament appearances.
On the court, Savage’s teams have developed a clear identity. The Buccaneers have emphasized efficiency and shot selection, often ranking highly in two-point percentage and other interior scoring metrics. His style leans toward patience and disciplined half-court execution rather than frantic pace, a formula that has produced steady results.
That consistency was rewarded this past season when Savage earned Southern Conference Coach of the Year honors, triggering a $10,000 bonus in his contract. ETSU finished 22-10 overall and 13-5 in league play, capturing the SoCon regular season title and the conference tournament’s No. 1 seed before falling to Furman in the championship game.
Savage turned 40 in September and has spent his career around winning programs, both as an assistant and now as a head coach. His teams have been efficient, disciplined, and competitive in a strong mid-major league. If that trajectory continues, it would not be surprising to see his name surface more prominently when the next wave of coaching openings arrives.
