While an assistant at Auburn, Oregon and South Carolina, John Cooper learned a thing or two about what a top-tier college basketball program looks like.

And 12 weeks into his tenure as the new head coach at Tennessee State, Cooper hopes to start seeing some of those things here.

From buying new uniforms to renovating the locker room and other parts of the facility, Cooper said he's focused on transforming the men's basketball brand both on and off the court. But, he added, he understands that a tough economy and the budget of a mid-major university means the off-the-court changes could take awhile.

"This is completely different," Cooper said. "You're talking about a BCS school. You're talking about the SEC. You're looking at money from basketball, the bowls, the TV deals and all that. There are other streams of revenue that are coming in. You're looking at schools with 26,000, 27,000 students with alumni bases all over the world and big booster clubs that are raising money and putting money into the program.

"There are very few mid-majors that open up the pocketbook and say 'go get it,' and have the means to do that. Still, there have been coaches at mid-major programs that have found a way and been creative in making sure to get what they need."

Already, Cooper said he's been surprised by the community enthusiasm for TSU athletics. He sees his challenge as turning that excitement into financial support.

"We've got one of the bigger facilities (in the Ohio Valley Conference) on campus," Cooper said of the 10,500-seat Gentry Center. "Our hope is to get to the point of doing something to the locker room. Update it. Make it a showpiece as it pertains to our level."

Galvanizing community support is just one of the major differences Cooper has noticed in the months since he went from assistant to head coach. Throughout the men's basketball program, Cooper finds that instead of making suggestions, he's now charged with making decisions.

One of his first challenges was replacing key personnel. Leading scorer Gerald Robinson Jr. and standout guard Parker Smith transferred.

After failing to post a winning season during more than five seasons under Cy Alexander, TSU is bringing in eight new players for Cooper's first year, more than almost every Division I program in the country.

As head coach, the disciplinary policy is his as well.

He banned hats and earrings from all basketball-related functions.

"Everything's been about business," said senior guard Jeremiah Crutcher, a former Hunters Lane standout. "We've got more order. Everything's more organized - you've got to be in class, you've got to be here, do this. If you're really dedicated to the team, you should do the right thing.

"That emphasis wasn't there all the time. I won't say it wasn't there, but it wasn't there all the time."

That discipline is a key building block of the program Cooper envisions.

"I think everyone wants to see the program have success," he said. "(Women's basketball) had success last year in turning the corner. Football had great success last year. Volleyball had success. For the people at TSU, the alumni, the administration, I think it would be nice if men's basketball could enjoy success also."