Tate is in his fourth season as head coach of the Mississippi Valley State University men's and women's track and field/cross country programs.
Tate previously served as the assistant sprints and hurdles coach at Tiffin University in Ohio. Leaving a positive mark on the program, Tate guided the team to a fifth place finish at the 2014 NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships, and the school's first ever national champion, Lamar Hargrove. Hargrove won two events and received the Athlete of the Meet and Freshman of the Year Award. In that season, there was a school record of eight All-Americans and the 4x4 meter relay team was the national runner up.Â
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During the 2013 season, Tate helped his athletes to some impressive performances. There were a total of 12 school records set, three GLIAC titles and 19 GLIAC runner-up performances for a total of 38 All-GLIAC selections. The Dragons had 11 NCAA qualifiers with Candace Longino-Thomas earning All-America honors in the indoor 400-meter dash. His educational background of the sprint events over the years, led to successful accomplishments as a collegiate track and cross country coach at Arkansas -Pine Bluff, where he served prior to Tiffin.Â
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While coaching throughout Michigan, Tate's track and field team's won seven state championships. As the national director and head coach of the Swift Track Club, he mentored a number of student athletes who have achieved All-American status at the USATF and AAU national levels. His athletes have broken numerous Indoor/Outdoor school records and he has helped foster 50 state champions in various events. Tate is proud to have passed forward his charisma and passion for track running to the athletes he worked with over the years, for which many have gone on to become NAIA, All-MAC, All-Big Ten, and NCAA All Americans. Recently, one of Tate's former runners, Kendall Baisden, won the junior world youths title in the 400-meter dash, and she graciously thanked Tate for his services through the years.Â
During the 2017 season, Mississippi Valley State claimed the Southwestern Athletic Conference Women's Cross-Country Championship, finishing with 58 points and a place in MVSU history. This championship marks the first women's cross-country championship in Mississippi Valley history. Scholasticah Kemei was named the Women's Runner of the Year, winning the women's individual title with a time of 18:30.83.
Fermon Tate of Mississippi Valley State was named the SWAC Women's Cross-Country Coach of the Year.
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Tate competed in track at Mississippi Valley State, helping his team win the 1981 and 1982 NAIA National Championships. He transferred to Eastern Michigan, helping them win two Mid-American Conference championships. Success also runs in the family. His son Fermon Tate III received a scholarship to Central Michigan under his father's coaching and graduated. His daughter, Sierra, received a scholarship to University of Michigan and graduated with honors. His youngest daughter, Derra, is considered one of the top distance recruits in the state excelling in cross country and track.  Â
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He is a native of Detroit, Mich. He graduated with bachelors in education from Eastern Michigan University. He currently resides with his wife Dana and youngest daughter, Derra, in Itta Bena.
