PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern has officially announced the schedule for its inaugural flag football season, marking the beginning of an exciting new era for Firehawk Athletics. The program will be led by Brandie Paul, the winningest coach in the history of UT Southern softball, as she takes the reins of the university's newest varsity sport.
The Firehawks will play a 14-game regular season schedule during their first campaign, featuring matchups against established programs from across the Southeast and a slate of Southern States Athletic Conference contests.
UT Southern opens competition on Jan. 30 with a road trip to face Life University in Marietta, Georgia. The Firehawks return to action on Feb. 20 at a neutral-site event in Lebanon, Tennessee, taking on King University and Cumberland University.
The first home game in program history is scheduled for Feb. 27 when the Firehawks host Cumberland University in Pulaski. The inaugural campaign continues with a March 14 road contest against Savannah College of Art and Design before conference competition begins March 20 at Point University.
A key stretch of the season comes at the end of March and throughout April, beginning with a home matchup against Lindsey Wilson University on March 30. The Firehawks will then host four consecutive conference contests in Pulaski against Andrew College (April 2), Reinhardt University (April 3), Life University (April 6), and Milligan University (April 10).
UT Southern closes the regular season with three straight road conference games at Brewton-Parker University, Thomas University, and Wesleyan College from April 15-17 before turning its attention to postseason play.
The 2026-27 Southern States Athletic Conference Flag Football Tournament is scheduled for April 22-24 in Montgomery, Alabama.
Under the leadership of Paul, who guided the Firehawk softball program to unprecedented success and became the winningest coach in program history, UT Southern enters its inaugural flag football season with a strong foundation and high expectations. The addition of flag football continues the university's commitment to expanding athletic opportunities while providing student-athletes another avenue to compete at the collegiate level.
FOLLOW THE FIREHAWKS
Tap in with everything happening around UT Southern Athletics and keep up with the Firehawks all season long.
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/utsathletics
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utsouthernathletics
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UTSouthernFirehawks
Scores, highlights, announcements, behind-the-scenes content, and more — stay connected and rep the Firehawks everywhere you go. Go Firehawks!
