Cris Dishman

Cris Edward Dishman (born August 13, 1965) is an American football coach and former player who is the 18th head football coach for Texas Southern University, a position he has held since 2024. He played professionally as a cornerback for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

Dishman played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers and was selected in the fifth round of the 1988 NFL draft. He played in the NFL for the Houston Oilers, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, and Washington Redskins from 1988 to 2000.

Early career Dishman attended St. Francis DeSales High School where he was two time Kentucky All-State in 1981 and 1982. Dishman played college football at Purdue University, where he was named to the All-Big Ten team in 1987. He also ran track for the Boilermakers, running the 200-meter dash and 400-meter dash.

Professional career

Houston Oilers 1988 season The Houston Oilers selected Dishman in the fifth round (125th overall) of the 1988 NFL draft. He was the 15th cornerback drafted in 1988. On July 16, 1988, the Oilers signed Dishman to a four–year rookie contract that would keep him under contract with the Oilers throughout the 1991 NFL season.

Throughout training camp, he competed against Richard Johnson to possibly be the No. 2 starting cornerback due to a contract holdout by Patrick Allen. Head coach Jerry Glanville named Dishman a backup and listed him as the third cornerback on the depth chart to begin the season, behind Steve Brown and Richard Johnson.

On September 4, 1988, Dishman made his professional regular season debut in the Houston Oilers’ season-opener at the Indianapolis Colts and recorded four solo tackles as they won in overtime 17–14. In Week 2, Dishman earned his first career start in place of Steve Brown who was inactive due to a hamstring injury and set a season-high with three pass deflections as the Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Raiders 38–35. He finished his rookie season in 1988 with 20 combined tackles (16 solo), five pass deflections, and a forced fumble in 15 games and two starts. In Week 4, he recorded two combined tackles (one solo) and set a season-high with four pass deflections as the Oilers routed the Miami Dolphins 39–7. In Week 13, he made one solo tackle, two pass deflections, and sealed a 23–16 victory at the Pittsburgh Steelers by intercepting a last second Hail Mary thrown by Bubby Brister to end the game. On December 10, 1989, Dishman set a season-high with four pass deflections, made one pass break-up, and picked off Vinny Testaverde's pass attempt to wide receiver Willie Drewrey as the Oilers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17–20. He finished the 1989 NFL season with a total of 26 combined tackles (20 solo), 20 pass deflections, four interceptions, one forced fumble, and made a fumble recovery in 16 games without any starts. Although Pro Football Reference doesn't provide game logs for the 1989 NFL season they recorded Dishman made 37 total tackles.

1990 season On January 7, 1990, Oilers’ head coach Jerry Glanville announced his resignation following a 9–7 record in 1989 and a first-round exit in the playoffs. On January 10, 1990, the Houston Oilers announced their decision to hire Jack Pardee to be their new head coach. Throughout training camp, Dishman was impressive in the absence of starters Steve Brown and Patrick Allen. Steve Brown would miss the majority of training camp due to an injury while Patrick Allen was in the midst of a holdout due to a contract dispute. Head coach Jack Pardee named Dishman and Richard Johnson the starting cornerbacks to begin the season.

On October 14, 1990, Dishman set a season-high with six combined tackles (five solo), made two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass Boomer Esiason threw to Kendal Smith as the Oilers routed the Cincinnati Bengals 17–48. In Week 13, he recorded three solo tackles, tied his season-high with three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass attempt Dave Krieg threw to wide receiver Jeff Chadwick during a 10–13 loss at the Seattle Seahawks. He started in all 16 games throughout the 1990 NFL season for the first time in his career and finished with 51 combined tackles (48 solo), 25 pass deflections, four interceptions, and a forced fumble. Pro Football Reference recorded 62 total tackles for Dishman in 1990.

On September 16, 1991, Dishman made four combined tackles (three solo), one pass deflection, and secured a 7–17 win against the Kansas City Chiefs by intercepting a pass Steve DeBerg threw to wide receiver Fred Jones in the fourth quarter. The following week, he set a season-high with ten combined tackles (six solo), made three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass Hugh Millen threw to wide receiver Irving Fryar during a 20–24 loss at the New England Patriots in Week 4. In Week 6, Dishman made eight combined tackles (six solo), two pass deflections, an interception, and returned a fumble by wide receiver Steve Sidwell for a 19–yard touchdown as the Oilers defeated the Denver Broncos 42–14. On October 20, 1991, Dishman made a pass deflection and secured a 17–13 win at the Miami Dolphins by recovering a fumble that linebacker Lamar Lathon caused by running back Sammie Smith with 3:21 remaining in the fourth quarter. In Week 11, he recorded five solo tackles and set a season-high with four pass deflections during a 26–23 overtime victory against the Dallas Cowboys. On November 17, 1991, he recorded two solo tackles, one pass deflection, and set a career-high with his sixth interception of the season on a pass by Bernie Kosar to running back Kevin Mack during a 24–28 victory against the Cleveland Browns. He was inactive as the Oilers lost 14–26 at the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a hamstring injury. He finished the 1991 NFL season with a total of 66 combined tackles (53 solo), 22 pass deflections, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one touchdown in 15 games and 15 starts. He set a career-high with six interceptions throughout the season. On September 2, 1992, the Atlanta Falcons proposed a trade for Dishman and a high round draft selection to the Houston Oilers in return for wide receiver Andre Rison. Head coach Jack Pardee named Richard Johnson and Jerry Gray the starting cornerbacks to begin the season with Dishman continuing to holdout due to his contract throughout Week 1.

On September 10, 1992, the Houston Oilers re-signed Dishman to a two–year, $1.55 million contract that would keep him under contract with the team throughout the 1994 NFL season. On September 13, 1992, the Oilers waived starting cornerback Richard Johnson. Entering Week 2, head coach Jack Pardee named Dishman the No. 1 starting cornerback and paired him with Jerry Gray. In Week 6, he recorded two solo tackles and set a season-high with four pass deflections during a 26–10 win against the Cincinnati Bengals. On December 27, 1992, Dishman set a season-high with six combined tackles (four solo), and intercepted a pass Frank Reich threw to wide receiver James Lofton as the Oilers defeated the Buffalo Bills 3–27. He finished the season with a total of 39 combined tackles (32 solo), 19 pass deflections, three interceptions, and a forced fumble in 15 games and 15 starts. On January 30, 1993, the Houston Oilers hired former Philadelphia Eagles’ head coach Buddy Ryan to be their new defensive coordinator. Head coach Jack Pardee named Dishman as the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the season and paired him with Darryll Lewis.

On September 12, 1993, Dishman recorded five solo tackles, made two pass deflections, and forced a fumble by tight end Mike Dyal, recovered, and returned it 58–yards for a touchdown during a 0–30 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs. In Week 4, No. 2 starting cornerback Darryll Lewis suffered a season-ending knee injury and was replaced by Steven Jackson for the rest of the season. On December 12, 1993, Dishman recorded three tackles, made three pass deflections, and led the Oilers to a 17–19 comeback victory against the Cleveland Browns by intercepting a pass Vinny Testaverde threw to wide receiver Mark Carrier later in the fourth quarter. In Week 16, he recorded three solo tackles and set a season-high with four pass deflections during a 26–17 victory at the Pittsburgh Steelers. In Week 18, Dishman set a season-high with nine solo tackles and made one pass deflection as the Oilers defeated the New York Jets 24–0 to win their 11th game in-a-row. He started in all 16 games throughout the season and finished with 74 combined tackles (64 solo), 29 pass deflections, six interceptions, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one touchdown. He set career-highs in pass deflections and forced fumbles and tied his career-high of six interceptions.

1994 season On February 9, 1994, the Houston Oilers hired Jeff Fisher to be their new defensive coordinator following the departure of Buddy Ryan who accepted a head coaching position with the Arizona Cardinals. On March 10, 1994, the Oilers re-signed Dishman to a two–year, $3.90 million contract that included an initial signing bonus of $1 million. On December 4, 1994, Dishman recorded two combined tackles (one solo), set a season-high with three pass deflections, and returned an interception for a touchdown to mark the first pick-six of his career during a 30–12 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. During the first quarter, he intercepted a pass Jay Schroeder threw to wide receiver Ricky Proehl and returned it for a 36–yard touchdown. He started in all 16 games and finished with 66 combined tackles (53 solo), 22 pass deflections, four interceptions, one fumble recovery, and scored one touchdown. He finished the season with 58 combined tackles (48 solo), 11 pass deflections, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 15 games and 15 starts.

Head coach Jeff Fisher named Dishman the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the season alongside Darryll Lewis. On September 1, 1996, Dishman started in the Houston Oilers’ home-opener against the Kansas City Chiefs and recorded five combined tackles (three solo) and set a season-high with three pass deflections as they lost 20–19. In Week 7, he set a season-high with nine combined tackles (eight solo) and made one pass break-up during a 23–13 win at the Atlanta Falcons. On December 1, 1996, Dishman made four combined tackles (two solo), two pass deflections, and had his last interception with the Oilers on a pass Glenn Foley threw to Keyshawn Johnson during a 35–10 victory at the New York Jets. He started in all 16 games throughout the 1996 NFL season and finished with a total of 57 combined tackles (42 solo), 14 pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, and made one interception.

Washington Redskins 1997 season On April 4, 1997, the Washington Redskins signed Dishman to a four–year, $9.60 million contract that included an initial signing bonus of $2.00 million. He was signed following the departure of Tom Carter to the Chicago Bears in free agency. He entered training camp slated as the No. 2 starting cornerback under defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. Head coach Norv Turner named Dishman and Darrell Green the starting cornerbacks to begin the season.

On August 31, 1997, Dishman started in the Washington Redskins’ season-opener at the Carolina Panthers and made two solo tackles, two pass deflections, and made his first interception as a part of the Redskins on a pass Steve Buerlein threw to tight end Wesley Walls as they won 24–10. On October 13, 1997, Dishman recorded seven solo tackles and set a season-high with four pass deflections as the Redskins defeated the Dallas Cowboys 21–16. The following week, he made four combined tackles (three solo), a pass deflection, and made the first sack of his career on former teammate Steve McNair for a three–yard loss alongside linebacker Marvcus Patton during a 14–28 loss at the Tennessee Oilers in Week 8. On December 7, 1997, Dishman made five combined tackles (four solo), two pass deflections, set a season-high with two interceptions, and returned one for a touchdown during a 38–28 win at the Arizona Cardinals. During the third quarter, Dishman intercepted a pass Jake Plummer threw to wide receiver Kevin Williams and returned it 21–yards for a touchdown. He finished the 1997 NFL season with 64 combined tackles (56 solo), 19 pass deflections, four interceptions, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and scored one touchdown in 16 games and 15 starts. On November 15, 1998, Dishman set a season-high with seven solo tackles, made two pass deflections, and set a season-high with two interceptions off passes by Bobby Hoying and Koy Detmer as the Redskins routed the Philadelphia Eagles 3–28. He started in all 16 games throughout the 1998 NFL season and recorded 68 combined tackles (60 solo), eight pass deflections, two interceptions, and had one forced fumble. He entered training camp slated as the No. 2 starting cornerback following the departures of Dale Carter and Mark McMillian. Head coach Gunther Cunningham named Dishman and James Hasty the starting cornerbacks to begin the season.

In Week 9, he set a season-high with seven solo tackles during a 17–25 loss at the Indianapolis Colts. On November 28, 1999, Dishman recorded six combined tackles (four solo), set a season-high with three pass deflections, an interception, a fumble recovery, and set a career-high with two touchdowns to lead the Chiefs to a late 37–34 fourth quarter comeback victory at the Oakland Raiders. During the third quarter, Dishman had a pick-six after picking off a pass Rich Gannon threw to running back Tyrone Wheatley and returned it 47–yards for a touchdown. During the fourth quarter, as the Chiefs were losing 27–34, Dishman recovered a fumble by tight end Derrick Walker that was forced by free safety Jerome Woods and returned it for a 40–yard touchdown to tie the game 34–34. In Week 17, he recorded six combined tackles (five solo), tied his season-high with three pass deflections, and intercepted a Rich Gannon's pass to Tim Brown during a 41–38 overtime loss against the Oakland Raiders. He started in all 16 games throughout the 1999 NFL season for the Chiefs and recorded 72 combined tackles (60 solo), 21 pass deflections, five interceptions, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and set a career-high with two touchdowns. He entered training camp slated as the No. 1 starting cornerback following the departures of Ramos McDonald and Jimmy Hitchcock. Head coach Dennis Green named Dishman and Robert Tate the starting cornerbacks to begin the season.

On September 17, 2000, Dishman made five solo tackles, two pass deflections, and made the last interception of his career on a pass Drew Bledsoe threw to wide receiver Terry Glenn during a 21–13 victory at the New England Patriots. In Week 8, he set a season-high with seven solo tackles as the Vikings defeated the Buffalo Bills 31–27. On November 6, 2000, Dishman recorded seven combined tackles (five solo) and made two pass deflections before he infamously botched an interception during a 20–26 overtime loss at the Green Bay Packers. During overtime, Brett Favre would throw a pass to wide receiver Antonio Freeman who slipped on the wet grass at Lambeau Field. Dishman dropped an interception onto the back shoulder of Freeman, who turned over to make the catch. Antonio Freeman would immediately get up to his feet and score the 43–yard game-winning touchdown. The following week, Dishman would be inactive due to a separated shoulder, losing his starting role to Kenny Wright in the process. On November 26, 2000, the Minnesota Vikings officially released Dishman. He finished the season with 52 combined tackles (45 solo), nine pass deflections, and one interception in 11 games and nine starts.

On January 21, 2009, Dishman was hired by the San Diego Chargers as an assistant defensive backs coach, helping out newly acquired secondary coach Steven Wilks.

On January 14, 2015, Dishman joined the Baylor University football staff coaching Safeties.

On May 20, 2018, Dishman joined the Montreal Alouettes as part of the Canadian Football League CFL to coach the defensive backs.

On June 1, 2019, Dishman was named the defensive backs coach for the New York Guardians of the XFL.

On July 1, 2020, Dishman was named the defensive backs coach for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

In March 2022, Dishman was named the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for the New Jersey Generals of the USFL.

Dishman was officially hired by the Vegas Vipers on September 13, 2022 In summer 2024, Dishman was named Head Coach at Texas Southern University.

NFL career statistics Regular season Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sck Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR Yds TD 1988 HOU 15 2 21 — — 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1989 HOU 16 0 37 — — 0.0 4 31 7.8 31 0 1 1 0 0 1990 HOU 16 16 62 — — 0.0 4 50 12.5 42 0 1 0 0 0 1991 HOU 15 15 66 — — 0.0 6 61 10.2 43 0 2 3 19 1 1992 HOU 15 15 40 — — 0.0 3 34 11.3 17 0 1 0 0 0 1993 HOU 16 16 78 — — 0.0 6 74 12.3 30 0 4 2 69 1 1994 HOU 16 16 66 53 13 0.0 4 74 18.5 38 1 0 1 29 0 1995 HOU 15 15 58 48 10 0.0 3 17 5.7 17 0 1 2 15 0 1996 HOU 16 16 57 42 15 0.0 1 7 7.0 7 0 0 2 0 0 1997 WAS 16 15 64 56 8 1.5 4 47 10.8 29 1 2 1 0 0 1998 WAS 16 16 66 60 6 0.0 2 60 30.0 49 0 1 0 0 0 1999 KC 16 16 72 60 12 0.0 5 95 19.0 47 1 1 3 40 1 2000 MIN 11 9 52 45 7 0.0 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Career 199 167 739 364 71 1.5 43 550 12.8 49 3 15 16 172 3

Head coaching record