IRVING, Texas – The American Conference will host its 2026 American Tipoff on Sunday and Monday, October 11–12, at the JW Marriott Tampa in Tampa, Florida, bringing together both men’s and women’s basketball programs to officially usher in the upcoming season.
 
Tampa will host the American’s signature preseason event for the first time, gathering all 26 head coaches and 52 student-athletes, representing 13 men’s and 13 women’s teams across the conference, for two days of media interviews and behind-the-scenes content creation. 
 
Team rotations will begin at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday and will continue Monday morning highlighted by a live broadcast on ESPN+. Hosted by Maria Trivelpiece, Mike O’Donnell, and Brooke Weisbrod, the show will offer exclusive insights, feature interviews, and season previews with head coaches and student-athletes from all 26 American basketball programs. Live coverage of the 2026 American Tipoff starts Monday at 8:00 a.m. ET / 7:00 a.m. CT.
 
Media credential applications and a complete schedule of coach and student-athlete availability will be made available through the conference communications office.
 
ATTENDEES LINEUP
subject to change




UAB
Men
HC Andy Kennedy
Deuce Jones
Justyn Fernandez


Women
HC Randy Norton
Eleecia Carter
Ashley Garner


Charlotte
Men
HC Wes Miller
Keyshaun Tillery
Dorian Finister


Women
HC Tomekia Reed
Zoe Best
Da’Brya Clark


East Carolina
Men
HC Mike Schwartz
Jay Woodard
Cian Medley


Women
HC Kim McNeill
Jayla Hearp
Kendall Sneed


Florida Atlantic
Men
HC John Jakus
Kanaan Caryle
Jelani Hamilton


Women
HC LeeAnn Freeland
Erin Rogers
Grace Carstensen


Memphis
Men
HC Penny Hardaway
Jayden Reid
Tylik Weeks


Women
HC Hana Haden
Daejah Richmond
Destiny Thomas


UNT
Men
HC Daniyal Robinson
Je’Shawn Stevenson
Cole Franklin


Women
HC Jason Burton
Chania Price
Otaifo Esenabhalu


Rice
Men
HC Rob Lanier
Jacob Dar
Jimmy Oladokun


Women
HC Lindsay Edmonds
Victoria Flores
Hailey Adams


South Florida
Men
HC Chris Mack
Sonny Wilson
Mike James


Women
HC Kristy Curry
Hannah Kohn
Stefanie Ingram


Temple
Men
HC Adam Fisher
Jordan Marsh
Dez White


Women
HC Diane Richardson
Tristen Taylor
Kaylah Turner


UTSA
Men
HC Austin Claunch
Dorian Hayes
Isaiah Watts


Women
HC Karen Aston
Idara Udo
Adriana Robles


Tulane
Men
HC Ron Hunter
KJ Green
Tyler Ringolf


Women
HC Ashley Langford
Kanija Daniel
Saide Shores


Tulsa
Men
HC Eric Konkol
Jaylen Lawal
Myles Rigsby


Women
HC Angie Nelp
Mady Cartwright
Jade Clack


Wichita State
Men
HC Paul Mills
William Berg
Jahari Long


Women
HC Terry Nooner
Ma’Riya Vincent
Clara Koulibaly