MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WGNS) – The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Board of Control convened in Mt. Juliet on Thursday, January 15, 2026, to finalize several key athletic regulations while deferring major decisions on classification and basketball seeding for further study.
Football Regulations and Playoff Brackets
In a move that provides immediate clarity for programs across the state, the Board voted to maintain the current football playoff bracket format for one additional year. While there had been speculation regarding potential shifts in alignment, the Board opted for stability through the upcoming season. Additionally, the Board officially approved updated football regulations for 2026.
Basketball Seeding: A Shift Toward RPI?
One of the most anticipated discussions centered on the seeding process for the Division I State Basketball Tournament. Currently, the TSSAA is exploring the implementation of a Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) system to determine tournament brackets.
The Board has tasked the state office with preparing a hypothetical RPI-based bracket for review. This "mock-up" will be presented at the June meeting, allowing administrators to compare how an RPI system would look versus traditional methods before making a final ruling.
Classification and Realignment Deferrals
Several high-profile items were tabled until the March meeting to allow for more data collection:
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Division II Football: The decision on DII classification was deferred. Survey results from member schools will be distributed and analyzed before a final vote in March.
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Golf Realignment: Page High School’s request to move to Class AA, Region 4, District 8 was put on hold. The school must first provide feedback from other district members regarding the potential change.
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Enrollment Collection: New options for the 2027-2029 classification period will be presented for a first reading in March.
Additional Board Approvals
Beyond the major sports, the Board took action on several administrative and logistical items:
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Lacrosse Expansion: A new three-team cooperative program was approved for South Greene, Greeneville, and Chuckey-Doak, pending regional approval.
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Officials' Fees: The Board gave preliminary approval for officials' pay scales for the 2026-2029 period.
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Calendars: The 2026-2028 TSSAA athletic calendars were officially set, including updates to the Regional Meeting schedules.
The Board denied a request from the Webb School of Knoxville regarding an exception for the Boys Basketball calendar during NCAA Live Recruiting Periods, citing the need to maintain the integrity of the established sports calendar.
