NEW: ETSU men’s basketball coach Jason Shay resigns after 1 year at the helm

East Tennessee State University head basketball coach Jason Shay turned in his resignation on Tuesday just weeks after the Johnson City school lost alumni and business support following Shay’s team kneeling during the National Anthem at a game at Chattanooga.

Shay said he supported his team’s move to protest but the fallout resulted in ETSU President Brian Noland conducting damage control apologies and explanations before the Board of Trustees and even to members of the Tennessee General Assembly who brought up the subject during a budget discussion.

Shay had been at ETSU for five years as an assistant to departed Steve Forbes. He served as interim coach and was then hired full-time last year.

The Bucs season ended in the Southern Conference tournament and finished with a record of 13-12 overall. Prior to Shay’s resignation, three players from the 2021 squad had entered the NCAA transfer portal to play elsewhere.

(IMAGE: ETSU Athletics)