Tarleton State University is set to announce that men’s basketball coach Billy Gillispie will not return for the upcoming season. This decision follows a series of health issues that sidelined him since January 15, 2024, with the official announcement expected on Friday morning. The university plans to conduct a comprehensive search for a new head coach.
Gillispie, who has faced ongoing health challenges throughout his career, took a leave of absence earlier this year due to complications related to blood pressure and heart health. He had also missed a game in December due to similar concerns. In a recent interview with the Dallas Morning News, he confirmed that his health issues were linked to these conditions.
The 62-year-old coach previously resigned from Texas Tech in 2012, citing health problems at that time. He described the experience as feeling akin to “a stroke or heart attack,” as reported by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Additionally, in 2017, Gillispie was diagnosed with kidney failure and required a kidney transplant. Earlier this season, he underwent a medical procedure related to his blood pressure, which further restricted his coaching duties.
Since Gillispie’s leave, associate head coach Glynn Cyprien has taken over as the acting head coach. Under Gillispie’s leadership, the Texans started the season with an 11-6 record. As the team approaches the final two games of the regular season, their record stands at 14-15, with a conference record of 5-11 in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).
Gillispie was appointed head coach at Tarleton State in 2020 after a successful five-year stint at Ranger College, a junior college in Texas. His coaching experience also includes tenures at prestigious programs such as Kentucky, Texas A&M, and UTEP. The university’s decision reflects both the need for stability in the program and the ongoing health concerns that have affected Gillispie’s coaching capacity.
As Tarleton State moves forward, the search for a new head coach will be crucial in shaping the future of the men’s basketball program. With the announcement expected soon, the community and supporters will be watching closely to see who will take the helm next.
