Updated July 24, 2026: Tennessee State has named Jennifer Bell interim director of athletics, effective immediately. Details below.

Tennessee State University placed athletic director Mikki Allen on administrative leave on July 23, pending the outcome of an internal investigation, the university announced in a statement. President Dwayne Tucker said an interim athletic director will be named soon.

“We were made aware of multiple concerns surrounding the leadership of the TSU athletic department through an open letter from six head coaches on May 28, 2026,” Tucker said in the statement. “I took these concerns very seriously and immediately launched an internal investigation. Effective today, TSU athletic director Dr. Mikki Allen has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.”

The letter Tucker referenced was a vote of no confidence signed by football coach Reggie Barlow, men’s basketball coach Nolan Smith, women’s basketball coach Candice Dupree, softball coach Genee McRath, track and field coach Chandra Cheeseborough, and volleyball coach Donika Sutton. It raised concerns about leadership, communication, and how resources are allocated across the athletic department.

The university declined to share further details. “Because this is an active personnel matter, we cannot comment further at this time,” Tucker said. “However, we remain committed to addressing this matter with the appropriate seriousness and care for all parties involved.”

Jennifer Bell Named Interim Athletic Director

The university moved quickly on the interim question. On July 24, one day after Allen was placed on leave, Tennessee State named Jennifer Bell interim director of athletics, effective immediately.

Bell is a three-decade veteran of the department. She joined Tennessee State athletics in 1991 as an assistant women’s basketball coach under Teresa Phillips and moved into administration after 11 years of coaching. She most recently served as executive senior associate athletic director for student-athlete services and senior woman administrator, directing compliance, student-athlete services, and academic support programs.

According to the university’s announcement, Bell has helped secure more than $1 million in grant funding for student-athlete academic services, leadership development, and compliance initiatives, and guided the department through two NCAA Academic Performance Program data reviews, with no NCAA Level I or Level II violations on her watch. A Clarksville, Tennessee, native, Bell earned her bachelor’s degree at Fisk University and a master’s in sport administration from Tennessee State. As interim athletic director, she will oversee departmental operations, budgets, personnel, coaching hires, and NCAA and conference compliance.

Allen’s Tenure at Tennessee State

Allen has led Tennessee State athletics since May 2020, arriving after roughly 11 years in various roles at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Data Driven HBCU examined the financial record of his tenure after the coaches’ letter became public.

The athletic budget grew substantially under Allen, from roughly $13 million in 2020 to $18.7 million in 2024-25, but most of that growth came from increased university-wide support rather than ticket sales or outside revenue. Budget documents presented to the university’s Finance Committee in May show athletics generating about $4.4 million on its own this year against $13.8 million in expenses, with the university covering the difference.

Allen also made moves aimed at growing outside revenue, including a multiyear ticketing and sponsorship agreement with the sports marketing firm Taymar in September 2025 and the revival of the John Merritt Classic, which brings the Tennessee State-Jackson State football rivalry back to Nashville on Aug. 29.

What Comes Next

Bell takes over just over five weeks before the football season opener against Jackson State at the revived John Merritt Classic on Aug. 29. The university has not said how long the investigation is expected to take or whether Allen’s leave is paid.

Data Driven HBCU will update this story as the university releases more information.