New Head Coach Cris Dishman Accepts The 'Huge Responsibility' To Mentor Young Men And Win At Texas Southern

The Tigers new head coach doesn't take his new responsibility lightly as he takes over the Texas Southern football program.

HOUSTON —  Texas Southern University's Board of Regents approved Cris Dishman's appointment as the Tigers head football coach. On Friday morning, the recommendation for Dishman culminated after 52 days of an exhaustive search with pauses and resets. The contract is a four-year deal.

"I would like to thank Dr. Granger, his staff, the committee, and everyone for making a decision to bring me on as head coach," Cris Dishman told HBCU Legends following the news of his appointment. "I don't take what they did lightly. I think it's a huge responsibility, where I'm in a position to mentor young men."

Dishman, 58, was drafted as the 125th overall draft choice of the Houston Oilers in the fifth round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He was a famed "Young Guns" defensive backfield. The secondary comprised Dishman, Steve Jackson, Michael Dumas, Darryll Lewis, and current Prairie View A&M head football coach Bubba McDowell.   

"I think Cris is going to do a good job," Coach McDowell shared with HBCU Legends. "One thing I do know, he's going to recruit. He likes Texas kids, too. So that's a good thing."

Dishman agreed, saying, "They can come right in the backyard. What's better than coming to your backyard than traveling outside and going somewhere else?"

Cris Dishman and Bubba McDowell as Houston Oilers; Credit: Dishman

One thing is for sure. The annual Labor Day Classic clash between Texas Southern and Prairie View will have an old Houston Oilers feel as the one-time teammates will become adversaries in the SWAC West.  

Coach Dishman and Bubba McDowell fall under the Nick Saban tree as players who are now head coaches. Saban was the Oilers defensive backs coach from 1988 to 1989. 

"I always felt like Houston was my second home coming from Louisville, Kentucky," Dishman remarked on returning to where he began his NFL career. 

Recently, TSU has produced highly recognizable names in Texas — for example, quarterbacks Andrew Body and Jace Wilson, and edge rushers Michael Badejo and running back LaDarius Owens.

I’d like to thank God, @TexasSouthern University Tiger Nation, TSU Alumni, my family, mentors and peers
— Success is OURS

18th Chapter begins 🤙🏾 pic.twitter.com/cGFXoBgYhF

— Cris Dishman (@dishman_cris) January 12, 2024

As TSU's new leader, he knows the task ahead of him is daunting: "I can't sit here and say we're going to win every game, but we're gonna try to win every game."

Since the 2019 season, the Texas Southern program has fallen to a record of 12-35, which has disappointed fans, alumni, administrators, and players alike. 

However, Dishman knows a part of the team's future success relies on the support from alums and boosters. "I'm challenging all of them [alumni]. They have to support not only homecoming but also us all week, all month, and supporting these 18 to 21-year-old young men."

Texas Southern University Expected To Hire Cris Dishman As New Head Football Coach