UPIKE Athletics

Tigh Compton was promoted to the position of head men's basketball coach on February 26. 2020 for the University of Pikeville. Compton finished his first season with a 12-12 record, second season at 17-13 and his third season at 20-13. 

In 2023, the Bears made the NAIA Tournament for the first time under Compton and advanced to the second round after knocking off No. 4 Huntington in the first round. 

In the 2023-24 season, Compton led the Bears to a second-place finish in their first season in the AAC. It included a school-record 20 conference wins and a second consecutive trip to the NAIA National Tournament.
 
Compton has climbed his way up former head coach Kelly Wells’ coaching staff, first serving as a student assistant for two years from 2009-11 before being elevated to the assistant role prior to the 2011-12 season and the associate head coach role prior to the 2014-15 season.

As the top assistant for the program, Compton played an integral role in recruiting, scouting and player development at UPike.
 
Compton has helped guide UPike to a stellar 316-102 (.756) record over the last 13 years that has included 12 winning campaigns, 11 20-win seasons, nineseasons with 25 or more wins, four conference regular season championships and 10 NAIA National Tournament berths.
 
Compton was on the sidelines for two of the best teams in program history. First the 2010-2011 team that set a then program record with 30 wins en route to the programs first ever NAIA National Championship and then in 2013-14 when UPike once again set a program record for wins when it won 31 games, sweeping the Mid-South Conference regular season and tournament championships before advancing to the second round of the NAIA National Tournament.
 
While on staff, 17 UPIKE players have received NAIA All-American honors including 2015 NAIA/NABC National Player of the Year KJ Manigault and eventual MSC Players of the Year Jamar “Deuce” Briscoe, Bruce Reed, Darrion Leslie, and Jayvian Delacruz.
 
He has also played a vital role in helping over 22 UPike student-athletes continue their careers professionally in America and overseas.
 
Compton came to UPike as a student assistant prior to the 2009-10 season after graduating with an associate’s degree from Southwest Virginia Community College. He graduated from the University of Pikeville with a bachelor’s degree in communication in 2011. He resides in Pikeville with his wife and fellow UPike alumni, Lisa Compton, and their daughter, Lainey Mae.

Compton's Season-By-Season Record