Coach Powell joined the Tuskegee University Men’s Basketball coaching staff in August of 2020.
Prior to joining Coach Taylor and the Golden Tigers he was the head basketball coach for the Montgomery Knights PBA (2020), Wetumpka High School Class 6A (2017-2019), and The Calhoun School Class 2A (2016-2017). He was granted the Central Alabama Basketball Official Association Coaching Sportsmanship Award 2016 and 2018. He had the pleasure to coach Jaderious “JD” Davison a 2020 Gatorade Player of the Year, McDonald All American, and 2x Mr. Alabama that led Calhoun to the Class 2A state championship in 2020.
In addition to his stints as a head coach, Powell attained experience as an assistant at Faulkner University (2007-2009), Prattville High School (2009-2010), Jefferson Davis High School (2010-2016), and BTW Tuskegee (2019-2020) as the head assistant.
The Lowndes County, Alabama native is also a United States Navy veteran. While serving our country, he played his final days of organized basketball as a sailor. Powell was forced to close the "ball is life" chapter of his life after a medical diagnosis of sarcoidosis and neuro-sarciodosis.
Powell graduated high school from Jefferson Davis. As a team captain he was known for his rebounding and defensive tenacity. Majority of his points came from either offensive rebounds or steals. His senior year he had a career high of 21 rebounds. For two consecutive years Powell earned several leadership awards along with the Most Rebounds Award (2000-2001, 2001-2002).
As a freshman in college at Marion Military Institute he averaged 11.8 rebounds per game and 14 points per game. He averaged a double-double, and amazingly acquired three triple-doubles with his best game being 10 steals, 16 rebounds and 21 points. That year he was awarded the Best Cadet Athlete, Most Valuable Player, and Alabama Community College Conference North All Conference Team. He ended the season ranked #2 in rebounding and #11 in scoring in the ACCC North. By dominating the boards, he set a school record in rebounding with 331 boards.
The following year he accepted a basketball scholarship from Faulkner University, but after only one season Powell proudly joined the Navy. He has a B. S. in Physical Education from Faulkner, and a Masters in Teaching with an Emphasis in Leadership from Grand Canyon University.
Coach Powell is married to Shante’. The couple share one daughter, Kinsley, and one son, Derrick ‘Kash’ Powell lll.
