Tennessee Assistant Roman Tubner Interviews for Kennesaw State Head Coaching Position

Tennessee Lady Vols assistant coach Roman Tubner has interviewed for the head coaching vacancy at Kennesaw State University, according to reports from USA TODAY Sports, marking his first known pursuit of a head coaching opportunity.

Tubner joined Kim Caldwell's coaching staff at Tennessee after she was hired to lead the Lady Vols program. His appointment to the Tennessee staff represented a significant career move for the coach who has built extensive experience across multiple levels of college basketball.

The interview process comes as Kennesaw State seeks to rebuild their women's basketball program following a disappointing 2025-26 season that resulted in the dismissal of head coach Octavia Blue. The Owls finished with a 13-17 overall record and struggled in conference play with a 6-12 mark in Conference USA competition.

Tubner brings impressive credentials to the Kennesaw State search, having most recently served as associate head coach at Alabama during the 2023-24 season. His final year in Tuscaloosa provided him with significant responsibility and leadership experience within the Crimson Tide program.

Prior to his elevated role at Alabama, Tubner spent time as an assistant coach with the Crimson Tide, helping develop one of the SEC's competitive programs. His experience in the challenging Southeastern Conference environment would prove valuable for any program seeking to improve its competitiveness.

Tubner's coaching journey has taken him across various levels and regions of college basketball. He served as assistant coach at Ball State from 2021-23, gaining experience in the Mid-American Conference while working with student-athletes in a different competitive environment.

His coaching resume also includes positions at UNC Wilmington (2019-20), Indiana State (2018-19), and Austin Peay (2017-18), demonstrating his ability to adapt to different program cultures and conference dynamics. This diverse experience has exposed him to various coaching philosophies and recruiting territories.

Earlier in his career, Tubner worked as assistant coach at Arkansas Tech from 2014-17 and Arkansas-Monticello from 2013-14. These positions at smaller institutions provided him with comprehensive experience in all aspects of program management and player development.

Tubner also served as a graduate assistant for Arkansas-Monticello's men's basketball team, giving him exposure to both sides of college basketball and a deeper understanding of the sport's nuances from multiple perspectives.

His current position at Tennessee has provided exposure to one of college basketball's most prestigious programs. Working under Caldwell, who brought her own successful coaching philosophy to Knoxville, has likely enhanced Tubner's strategic and tactical understanding.

The Lady Vols experienced disappointment in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, suffering a first-round elimination to North Carolina State on March 20. Despite the early exit, Tubner's work with the program has apparently attracted attention from other institutions seeking leadership.

For Kennesaw State, Tubner represents an experienced candidate who understands the challenges of building competitive programs at various levels. His extensive assistant coaching experience provides him with recruiting networks and tactical knowledge that could benefit the Owls.

The timing of the interview process suggests Kennesaw State is moving quickly to identify their next head coach. With spring recruiting periods approaching, the university likely wants to have leadership in place to maintain continuity and pursue transfer portal opportunities.

Tubner's diverse background could appeal to Kennesaw State administrators seeking someone capable of elevating the program's competitiveness within Conference USA. His experience at both major conference and mid-major levels provides perspective on what it takes to succeed at different competitive tiers.

If hired, Tubner would face the challenge of rebuilding a program that has struggled to find consistent success. His extensive assistant coaching experience suggests he understands the comprehensive nature of program development, from recruiting to player development to game preparation.

The interview represents a significant career opportunity for Tubner to demonstrate his readiness for head coaching responsibilities. His diverse experience and recent work at Tennessee provide a strong foundation for leading his own program and implementing his coaching philosophy.