Tarleton State coach Billy Gillispie has been cleared of an employee conduct review by the Texas A&M System and will be reinstated immediately, the program announced Monday. Gillispie, 65, was placed on temporary administrative leave during an investigation by the university over a complaint.
“We’re thankful to the Texas A&M System for working expeditiously in addressing this anonymous complaint,” Tarleton State vice president and director of athletics Steve Uryasz said in a statement. “The welfare of our student-athletes is of the utmost importance to Tarleton State University and the Texas A&M System. We look forward to the start of the Texan Men’s Basketball season.”
The university provided no details about the nature of the complaint.
Candid Coaches: Do you trust that your competitors will follow new recruiting rules?
Gary Parrish
Gillispie is entering his sixth season as Tarleton State’s coach. The former UTEP, Texas A&M, Kentucky and Texas Tech coach owns a 226-182 record as a Division I coach and has gone 78-74 since taking over the Tarleton State program in 2020. After his exit from Texas Tech in 2012 due to health concerns, he took a few years off before being hired as both the coach and athletic director at his alma mater, Ranger College, where he held that position from 2015-20.
Tarleton State opens the 2025-26 season against SMU on Nov. 3. The Texans finished the 2024-25 campaign with a 12-20 overall record, which included a 7-9 mark in WAC play.
