On December 5, head coach Will Healy resigned to become the head coach at Charlotte.[1] He finished at Austin Peay with a three-year record of 13–21.
Previous season
The Governors finished the 2017 season 8–4, 7–1 in OVC play to finish in second place.
Preseason
OVC media poll
On July 20, 2018, the media covering the OVC released their preseason poll with the Governors predicted to finish in second place.[2] On July 23, the OVC released their coaches poll with the Governors also predicted to finish in second place.[3]
Media poll
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Jacksonville State
134 (14)
2
Austin Peay
114 (1)
3
UT Martin
96
4
Tennessee State
91
5
Eastern Illinois
83
6
Eastern Kentucky
64
7
Murray State
39
8
Southeast Missouri State
35
9
Tennessee Tech
19
Coaches poll
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Jacksonville State
126 (14)
2
Austin Peay
112 (4)
3
UT Martin
95
4
Eastern Illinois
73
5
Eastern Kentucky
69
6
Tennessee State
64
7
Southeast Missouri State
62
8
Murray State
24
9
Tennessee Tech
23
Preseason All-OVC team
The Governors had five players selected to the preseason all-OVC team.[4]