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Tarleton State is extending the contract of men’s basketball coach Billy Gillispie through 2026.

Gillispie, 64, took a medical leave in November.

The school hired Gillispie before the 2020-21 season, and the Texans are 63-51 (38-28 Western Athletic Conference) since.

Gillispie has been cleared to return to the sidelines but has chosen to leave the team in the hands of acting coach Joseph Jones. The Texans are 22-7 (15-3 WAC) and can earn at least a share of the conference championship if they win their final two regular season games this week, at home against Utah Valley and Seattle.

“I have no restrictions but will remain in an advisory role for the rest of the season as our team is having a historic season. It’s been a joy to watch coach Joseph Jones and the staff lead the great young men to unprecedented heights and provide infinite excitement. I have never seen anyone do a better job,” he said.

Gillispie previously was the head coach of UTEP (2002-04), Texas A&M (2004-07), Kentucky (2007-09) and Texas Tech (2011-12).

Also Wednesday, the school extended the contract of football coach Todd Whitten through 2027.

“The Texan Football and Men’s Basketball programs have established themselves as two of the best teams the UAC (United Athletic Conference) and WAC have to offer, and I have full confidence that Coach Whitten and Coach Gillispie will continue taking these programs to unprecedented heights,” incoming athletic director Steve Uryasz said. “These are two truly great coaches and these extensions will allow them to build on their success for years to come.”

Whitten, 59, has a 104-53 record at Tarleton State over 14 seasons. The Texans were 8-3 last season.

–Field Level Media