When we last touched on the Texas Southern coaching search -- nearly two weeks ago, and more than a month into the search -- the TSU Board of Regents was split between two candidates: an experienced, qualified ball coach in former Alcorn head coach Fred McNair, and an inexperienced, perhaps unqualified but recognizable name whose exploits for the local NFL team would generate undeniable buzz in former Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson.
In the end, both sides got what they wanted. Sort of.
Texas Southern on Friday announced Chris Dishman as its new head coach.
Similar to Johnson, Dishman played for the local NFL team. For eight of his 13 pro seasons, Dishman was a Houston Oiler. A fifth-round pick out of Purdue, Dishman played in Houston from 1988-96 and was a First Team All-Pro wide receiver in 1991. He'd go on to play for the Redskins, Chiefs and Vikings from 1997-2000, earning one more All-Pro nod in '97.
And similar to McNair, Dishman has accumulated a serious coaching resume.
This past season was his 20th in coaching. He began as the defensive backs for NFL Europe's Berlin Thunder, and spent his last season coordinating the defense of the XFL's Vegas Vipers. In between, he coached in the NFL, the USFL, the NAIA, the CFL, the Big 12, and for IMG Academy. Dishman's resume is surely the only one in existence to include the Berlin Thunder, the San Diego Chargers, the Montreal Alouettes, the New Jersey Generals and the Baylor Bears.
"Cris Dishman is an experienced football coach whose accomplishments as a player and coach make him an excellent choice to lead our football program into the future," said AD Dr. Kevin Granger. "Even more important, he is a man of character who, in his own words, 'seeks to make his players into better brothers, fathers, and husbands.' I appreciate the Board of Regents' bold, strategic approach to finding new opportunities to elevate Texas Southern University. I look forward to working with Coach Dishman to bring new levels of success to TSU Football."
Dishman inherits a Tigers team that went 3-8 in 2023 and 12-35 in five seasons under previous head coach Clarence McKinney. McKinney got the job after Michael Haywood went 8-25 in three seasons, and Haywood took over following Darrell Asberry's 12-31 mark in four seasons.
"I want everyone in Tigerland to know that we're going to put together a good team, a good staff, and everyone has to do their job and be all in for TSU football," Dishman said.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.