Chris Reisman steps down as head coach at Tarleton State

Incoming WAC member Tarleton State will play their first season of Division I basketball in 2020-21 and they will do so with a new head coach. Chris Reisman, the son of long-time Texans’ head coach Lonn Reisman, is stepping down after two seasons at the helm to take an administrative role at the school.

“After this season, I knew in my heart it was time for me to go a different direction within the Tarleton athletics department,” Reisman said in a statement Monday. “I’ve had incredible support along the way but my heart has led me to step away from coaching and pursue a new and exciting role within Tarleton State Athletics. I’m ready for a new challenge, one that will allow me to see my son Rush more but also stay close to the Tarleton family that I’ve grown up around over the last 20 years.”

Reisman took over in 2018 after his father stepped down to become VP of Intercollegiate Athletics. The younger Reisman will serve as Assistant Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Development and Strategic Initiatives at Tarleton State going forward.

“I am excited about the leadership [Chris] will bring to his new role as we transition to the next level,” President Dr. James Hurley said, “A national search will begin to find a coach that will continue the legacy of basketball excellence the Reismans have established here at Tarleton.”

Some names that make sense for TSU moving forward: former UTEP/Texas Tech/Kentucky/Texas A&M head coach Billy Gillispie, who has had success at Ranger College (TX) since leaving the bright lights of high-major college hoops; TCU assistant and former North Texas (and LSU) head coach Tony Benford; Houston-native and Baylor assistant Alvin Brooks III; or up-and-coming assistant coach Ulric Maligi, currently at Texas Tech.

credit to Tarleton State Athletics for the image