Note: This story is featured in the 2026 edition of Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Summer Magazine, which you can order here.

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To understand Texas Southern coach Cris Dishman, you must first know he’s the son of a Navy Frogman. If we always assume the older generations were tougher, just know that those dudes came before the SEALs.  

That knowledge is like the outer border of the puzzle. Every other piece falls into place. The 5 a.m. wake-up with no alarm because his nervous energy already roused him. The protein-packed bars in glass jars on the table in his office – signs of a strict vegan diet. His 13-year NFL career: a tribute to his father’s militaristic discipline as much as his athleticism. The way he shakes a recruit’s hand on the first meeting and says, ‘Congratulations, if you play for me, you will graduate from Texas Southern.’ Because not getting an education is not an option.  

But, most of all, how he didn’t even realize he’d technically led Texas Southern to their first winning season since 2000 (a SWAC Championship was vacated in 2010 due to NCAA penalty) because he was so focused on the process - and unsatisfied with a 6-5 record.  

Dishman has had a winding coaching journey: ‘I’ve coached in all the ‘FLs’ but the ‘IFL (Indoor Football League),’ he says. But for all that experience, his father prepared him best for coaching at Texas Southern.  

“My dad used to always tell me, ‘Even though we don’t have the biggest house in the neighborhood, we can have the cleanest house in the neighborhood,’” Dishman said. 

Dishman did some spring cleaning on his program this offseason. Texas Southern hired new defensive coordinator Scott Vestal and corners coach Derwin Wilson to shore up communication issues in the secondary. Vestal is a longtime defensive assistant with stints at Texas, SMU, Texas State, Rice, North Texas, and East Texas A&M. He and assistant Coach Wilson won’t be the only new faces in the room. Dishman added seven new defensive backs and six new defensive linemen in the Transfer Portal ahead of spring football.  

“Our goal is to beat Prairie View A&M and win the SWAC,” Dishman said. “Our goal is to get to Atlanta. To get to Atlanta, somebody has to make the tough decisions.” 

Vestal purposely didn’t watch film of last year’s team so he could evaluate in the spring with fresh eyes. He said he found some potential breakout players for his 4-2-5 scheme, starting with inside linebackers Donovan Jones and Aaron Kizzee. Jacob Williams is the veteran of that group. That pair will be tasked with replacing All-SWAC linebacker Isaiah Bogerty. A defensive line losing all-conference defensive end Michael Akins had three spring standouts: boundary edge rusher Josef Aganbi, strong side edge Garfield Lawrence, and defensive tackle Jamaal Cherry. Dishman also highlighted lineman Thurman Rayborn for his leadership. As for rectifying those secondary issues? Vestal said the safety room is the most improved position on the defense, while cornerback may be the best position on the entire team. 

The offense has more continuity from last season, starting with offensive coordinator Steven Smith. Dishman and Smith coached together on the USFL’s New Jersey Generals and came to Texas Southern in 2024.  

Smith’s unit will lean on running back Aethean Renfro, who ranked third in the SWAC with 83.5 rushing yards per game. He should benefit from a vastly more experienced offensive line. Zachary Marshall, Malachi Godfrey, and Jayden Daniels all started as true freshmen and return for their sophomore year. 

But the most important development is at quarterback, where Southern transfer Cam’Ron McCoy turned heads this spring with his arm, legs, and vocal leadership.  

“Seeing him run the other day, it’s like, ‘Whew, that guy’s fast,’” Dishman said. “I’m glad he’s on our team, and we don’t have to play against him. I think everybody is going to be happy with the way he plays and the leadership he brings.” 

McCoy’s main targets will be returning leading receiver Roriyon Richardson (462 yards, four touchdowns), tight end Kordell Rodgers, and field-stretching Alabama A&M transfer Daveon Walker (6-foot-3-inches, 195 pounds). 

DCTF Take

“Everybody always says they’re a grown ass man,” Cris Dishman told DCTF. “If you’re a grown ass man, then make grown ass decisions.” 

Ok, Dishman was referring to his use of a players’ leadership council and emphasis on academics. But this quote also works for the decisions he made this offseason. It was technically the first winning season since 2000, but you wouldn’t have picked up on that during spring football. Dishman made changes at defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach, bringing in seven defensive backs and six new linemen on each side of the ball.  

Dishman is not afraid of change. That's good, because he’s trying to change Texas Southern’s football culture. “I’m tired of looking at a 30,000-seat stadium and only seeing 5,000 people,” he said. If he can build the Tigers into a SWAC contender this year, they will come.