With Billy Gillispie Fired, Who is Favored to be the Next Head Coach for Tarleton State in 2026-2027? Who Should Replace Billy Gillispie in 2026?
Full Story on Gillispie Being Fired as Tarleton State’s Head Coach
The Texans are on the verge of accomplishing their second straight disappointing season. Despite winning 25 games during the 2023-2024, Tarleton State still failed to reach the NCAA Tournament since joining Division I in 2020. Due to a lack of improvement from the men’s basketball team, the school decided to make a coaching change. With March Madness coming just around the corner, the university fired Billy Gillispie after 6 seasons on the job.
He has been on medical leave since January and assistant coach Glynn Cyprien took over head coaching duties during the absence. At the time of the decision, the 14-15 Texans have lost 10 of their last 13 games. Tarleton State is currently in last place in the Western Athletic Conference. Perhaps the college basketball squad’s biggest win of this season so far came on January 3, where they defeated California Baptist in overtime 81-76.
In 14 games during the 2025-2026 season, the defense gave up 75 points or more per contest. On the other side, the offense has only scored 65 points or less per contest in 11 games this year. Gillispie became the sixth men’s basketball head coach to be fired this season after Wayne Tinkle (Oregon State), Joe Scott (Air Force), Steve Lavin (San Diego), Jerome Tang (Kansas State), and Marvin Menzies (Kansas City).
Billy Gillispie’s Career with the Tarleton State Texans
Gillispie took over as the leading man in Stephenville in 2020 after the program left Division II. The former coach led the Texans to two different tournaments: the CBI in 2023 and CIT in 2024. Tarleton State has not been to the NCAA March Madness since the first round in 2017. Also, the team has not reached the men’s Final Four since losing to Indiana-PA in 2015. The school wants to win a postseason game for the first time since the 2016 Regional Finals. Overall, Gillispie compiled a 78-74 record and 46-38 in conference play.
Before joining Tarleton State, Gillispie previously coached the same position for the following programs: Ranger College (2015-2020), Texas Tech (2011-2012), Kentucky (2007-2009), Texas A&M (2004-2007), and UTEP (2002-2004). He took the Wildcats to the NCAA First Round in 2008 as well as the NIT in 2009. Gillispie also guided the Aggies to the Sweet 16 in 2007, the farthest of his professional career. His tenure with Texas Tech only lasted one season because he stepped down for health reasons. Gillispie was facing player mistreatment allegations at the time of his medical leave in 2012.
What’s Next for the Tarleton State Texans?
Many Texans college basketball fans might wonder: Who is the leading candidate to replace Billy Gillispie in 2026? The top coaches in consideration listed in this article have prior coaching experience. In addition, those candidates have been on the coaching staff for at least five years. Please refer to the information below for the list of top candidates to replace Gillispie as Tarleton State Texans Head Coach!
Possible Candidates to Replace Billy Gillispie as Tarleton State HC
Internal Candidates
Glynn Cyprien-Tarleton State
- Kentucky Assistant Coach (2007-2009)
- Memphis Assistant Coach (2009-2010)
- Texas A&M Assistant Coach (2011-2014)
- Iowa Energy HC (2017)
- Memphis Hustle HC (2017-2018)
- Texas Tech Assistant Coach (2018-2019)
- Georgia Southern Assistant Coach (2022-2023)
- Tarleton State Assistant Coach (2024-2025)
- Tarleton State Acting HC (2025-Present)
Top Head Coach Candidates for Tarleton State Texans to Consider
Joe Pasternack-UC Santa Barbara
- California Assistant Coach (2001-2007)
- New Orleans HC (2007-2013)
- Arizona Assistant Coach (2011-2013)
- Arizona Associate HC (2013-2017)
- UC Santa Barbara HC (2017-Present)
- 17-11 Record This Season
- Led the Gauchos to 2 NBCAA Tournament Appearances
Andy Newman-Cal State Northridge
- Cal State Fullerton Associate HC (2007-2012)
- Cal State Fullerton Interim HC (2012-2013)
- UT Permian Basin HC (2013-2018)
- Cal State San Bernardino HC (2018-2023)
- Cal State Northridge HC (2023-Present)
- 18-10 Record This Season
- Took Matadors to NIT Tournament in 2025
R-Jay Barsh-Gonzaga
- Southeastern University HC (2012-2019)
- Boise State Assistant Coach (2019-2022)
- Florida State Assistant Coach (2022-2023)
- Gonzaga Assistant Coach (2023-Present)
- 28-3 Record This Season
- Guided Bulldogs to Sweet 16 Berth in 2024
Chris Victor-Seattle
- Concordia-Irvine Assistant Coach (2006-2010)
- Citrus College HC (2010-2015)
- Eastern Washington Assistant Coach (2015-2017)
- Seattle Assistant Coach (2017-2022)
- Seattle HC (2022-Present)
- 17-12 Record This Season
- Won CBI Championship in 2024
Leading Candidate to Replace Billy Gillispie as Texans HC in 2026
Kahil Fennell-UT Rio Grande Valley
- UT Permian Basin Assistant Coach (2015-2016)
- UT Permian Basin Associate HC (2016-2017)
- Portland State Assistant Coach (2017-2018)
- Louisville Assistant Coach (2021-2022)
- BYU Assistant Coach (2022-2024)
- UT Rio Grande Valley HC (2024-Present)
- 16-13 Record This Season
Other coaching carousel updates in Men’s basketball:
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