Corey Gipson, an American basketball coach and the current head coach of the Austin Peay Governors men’s basketball team, is married to his wife, April Gipson.
Corey Gipson, born on January 22, 1981, in Sikeston, Missouri, began his college basketball journey at Three Rivers Community College, where he played for two years before transferring to Austin Peay.
At Austin Peay, he played a key role in securing two Ohio Valley Conference regular-season titles.
After finishing his playing career, Gipson quickly shifted to coaching, starting as an assistant at Virginia State from 2005 to 2009.
He then moved to UNC Greensboro and returned in 2012 to his alma mater, Austin Peay, as an assistant coach, staying until 2015.
Gipson then took on another assistant coaching role at Missouri State in 2016.
In March 2022, he received his first head coaching opportunity at Northwestern State.
The following year, he made his return to Austin Peay, this time as the head coach, taking over the position on March 12, 2023.
In his first season with the Governors, he guided the team to a 19-16 record and a spot in the CIT Quarterfinals.
Overall, Gipson has quickly built a solid head coaching resume, with a current record of 44–29 (.603) across two seasons, reflecting his potential for continued success in the coaching world.
Meet April Gipson: Corey Gipson’s Biggest Supporter and Devoted Mom of Three
Corey Gipson is married to April Gipson, and together they have three children: Jordan, Tanner, and Frankie.
They tied the knot in 2007 and celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary in 2024.
April, who is originally from Memphis, moved to Springfield in 2023 and has quickly become an active force in the local community.
As the Vice President of Retail Banking at Old Missouri Bank, she is committed to positively impacting the local workforce.
When recruiting for open positions, she encourages candidates to “Look at me,” highlighting that there are plenty of opportunities in Springfield without needing to move to larger cities.
April’s passion lies in helping people find the right fit for their skills, and she sees her role as one of developing others for success.
Beyond her professional work, April is dedicated to supporting her community, particularly through her efforts to help women recover from domestic violence.
She is working to launch a local chapter of The Rebound Foundation, a nonprofit she became involved with in Nashville alongside Christina Ford.
In addition to all of this, April is a strong support system for her husband, Corey, and is raising their three children with love and care.
In January 2024, Corey shared that his journey to Austin Peay was deeply influenced by his family, especially his wife, who was excited about returning to Tennessee, even though she didn’t have direct ties to Austin Peay.
She has Tennessee roots, and when the opportunity arose, she passionately expressed that they could return and make a significant impact on the community, both as a family and a coaching staff.
Corey resonated with her vision, realizing that their shared commitment to Austin Peay – his history there and her passion for Tennessee – could form a strong foundation.
He emphasized that while coaches often receive recognition, their wives are typically the backbone of their success, even though people often overlook their contributions.
Corey credits his wife for their move to Clarksville, noting that without her support and influence, they wouldn’t have made it.
He added that, as a leader, he has learned one of the most important lessons: recognizing how his wife drives decisions and provides crucial support behind the scenes.
In March 2023, Corey Gipson walked into Prather Coliseum with his family, and it instantly felt right – “It just smelled like basketball,” he said.
His wife, April, asked for his thoughts, and he replied, ‘It smells right,’ while their nearly 4-year-old daughter, Frankie, excitedly agreed.
With his college-aged son, Jordan, helping with Frankie and their other son, Tanner, preparing for his next basketball and academic move, Corey balances family life with his responsibilities at Austin Peay.
As of now, Corey Gipson, along with his wife and three kids, is residing in Clarksville, Tennessee.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Corey Gipson was just 9 years old when his mother passed away, and his father eventually remarried.
- He completed his undergraduate studies at Austin Peay, earning a bachelor’s degree in 2004, followed by a master’s degree in 2005.
- In 2012, Austin Peay honored him as the Young Alumnus of the Year.
