When Texas Southern University begins its football season in a few months, there will be a fresh face at the helm of the program.
While new to TSU, Cris Dishman is no stranger to Houston. Last month, the university appointed the former Houston Oiler legend as its new head football coach.
“It feels fantastic. My family’s back here, Dr. (Kevin) Granger and the committee…they gave me the opportunity to be a head coach,” Dishman shared with ABC13. “So, this is my first one. I’ve been coaching for almost 19 years, but to become a head coach, you need great people around you.”
Dishman believes he’s assembled a solid coaching staff.
“I’ve put together a strong staff. Steve Smith… Coach Smith will serve as the offensive coordinator. Coach Wilson, who was previously on the staff, remains. We were fortunate to retain Coach Wilson as our recruiting coordinator. And then there’s Coach Parker, whom I’ve known for a long time,” he explained.
Returning to Houston marks a full-circle moment for Dishman. He was drafted by the Oilers in 1988 and spent eight seasons with the team, totaling 13 years in the NFL.
The two-time NFL Pro Bowler steps into a program that has faced challenges in recent years. Last season, the Tigers ended with a 3-8 record, prompting TSU to part ways with then-head coach Clarence McKinney.
“Our first goal is to win game one. Then, we move on to the next games,” Dishman emphasized. “Do we want to win a championship? Absolutely. Do we aim for multiple championships? Yes.”
Walking down TSU’s Tiger Walk, Dishman expressed his excitement to be back on campus and urged the community to rally behind the team.
“I can’t do it alone. I need the community. I need the alumni. I want alumni back on campus. I seek support from everyone, from the administration to alumni to fellow students,” he stressed.
Reflecting on his playing days in Houston until the Oilers’ relocation to Nashville, Dishman cherished the warm reception he received from the city and its residents.
“The Houston community always welcomed me with open arms. I considered Houston, especially the Third Ward area, my second home,” he shared.
Dishman credited his friend and former teammate Alonzo Highsmith for steering him into coaching in 2005.
“Alonzo encouraged me to get into coaching. I started training players, and then he suggested coaching. My first coaching stint was in NFL Europe with the Berlin Thunder as the defensive backs coach,” he recounted.
With almost two decades of coaching experience at the pro and collegiate levels, Dishman is optimistic about TSU’s prospects. He encourages locals to support the team and stay in Houston.
“This is your backyard. Why go elsewhere to play football? You’re familiar with the city and the school. Why not stay close?” Dishman remarked, sharing a laugh with Bubba McDowell, the head football coach at Prairie View A&M and a longtime friend and former Oilers teammate.
Dishman believes the team is poised for success now and will explore options in the transfer portal.
“As a dad, I try to balance coaching with family time. My son plays football at Second Baptist, so I’m constantly coaching him. But I also prioritize spending quality time with him, discussing his grades and well-being,” he explained.
Dishman’s message to the TSU community and players is simple: “I’m transparent and honest. Our staff operates with integrity and openness.”
