Basketball Coach on Leave at Tarleton State

Billy Gillispie, the head coach for the Tarleton State men’s basketball team, has been placed on temporary administrative leave after an anonymous complaint surfaced, according to a statement from the university released on Friday.

Steve Uryasz, the Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, confirmed the news and mentioned that the institution has started reviews regarding employee conduct. In the meantime, assistant coach Glynn Kiprien will step in as interim head coach.

Details regarding the nature of the complaint have not been disclosed yet. This isn’t the first time Gillispie has faced scrutiny in his coaching career, as he has a history of past allegations.

Reports indicate that he dealt with accusations of player abuse during his time at Texas Tech in 2011 and 2012. He stepped down citing health issues, but it came shortly after the university announced an investigation into those allegations. Additionally, Gillispie experienced criticism while coaching at Kentucky, where the Wildcats missed the NCAA tournament in 2009, prompting his dismissal after two seasons.

Gillispie, now 65, led Texas A&M to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in both 2006 and 2007. Prior to his position at Texas Tech, he entered a substance abuse program in Houston following multiple arrests for driving offenses.

He began his role at Tarleton State in 2020 and holds a coaching record of 226 wins and 182 losses across 13 seasons. The university has chosen not to comment further on the current situation.