Sources: Gillispie not coaching Tarleton State next year

According to sources, Tarleton State is set to officially announce on Friday morning that men’s basketball head coach Billy Gillispie will not return next season.

The university plans to conduct a comprehensive national search for a new head coach.

Gillispie has been unable to serve since January 15 due to health concerns, having also missed a game in December. He stated to The Dallas Morning News earlier this month that the issues were related to blood pressure and his heart.

Throughout his coaching career, he has faced various health challenges, resigning from Texas Tech in 2012 due to similar issues. Prior to his resignation, he was hospitalized and described to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal an episode that felt akin to “a stroke or heart attack.”

In 2017, he faced kidney failure and was in need of a transplant.

Gillispie also sat out most of the 2023-24 season following a medical procedure for blood pressure-related concerns.

Since Gillispie’s leave, associate head coach Glynn Cyprien has been stepping in as the acting head coach.

Gillispie took the reins at Tarleton State in 2020 following five seasons at Ranger College, a junior college in Texas. His coaching resume also includes head coach positions at Kentucky, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and UTEP.

The Texans were 11-6 when Gillispie began his leave and have now entered the last two regular-season games with a record of 14-15 (5-11 WAC).