Texas A&M University-San Antonio has hired Chris Dial to launch its men’s basketball program. Dial comes by way of Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU), where he has been for five seasons. OLLU is also a member of the NAIA and Red River Athletic Conference.
“I am honored and feel extremely fortunate to be joining the Texas A&M-San Antonio family. Being afforded the opportunity to build a program with such exceptional people this close to where I grew up is truly humbling. As I continue to dedicate myself to this city and a game that has meant so much to me and so many others, I will embrace, wholeheartedly, this journey and give the A&M brand and all of those it represents all that I have. The Southside of San Antonio is near and dear to me and my family and it genuinely will be a pleasure to represent it regionally, nationally and globally.”
Dial’s success on the court extends well beyond OLLU as he has previously coached at several San Antonio area high schools (St. Gerard Catholic High School, McCollum High School, John Paul II Catholic High School, and New Braunfels High School) and internationally. Specifically, internationally, Dial is well known for his program development abilities.
While living in Europe, Dial worked for both the Kosovo Basketball Federation as well as for FIBA Europe as a manager and head coach of a development program that focused on program-building and success strategies. Dial helped architect a Youth National Team Program that put Kosovo on the global basketball map and has coached and consulted for several other National Basketball Federations throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
A&M-San Antonio Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Darnell Smith, is looking forward to having Dial on staff. “Chris Dial is someone that brings a unique skill set to A&M-San Antonio. Through his various coaching positions and non-profit work, Chris has been highly successful at tying basketball to communities. We talk about building champions in life here at A&M-San Antonio, and Chris has been utilizing basketball to do just that his entire career. What is more, Chris has spent some time away from San Antonio, but San Antonio has never left Chris. When you bring up the name Chris Dial in the San Antonio basketball community, it carries weight.”
Dial grew up on the southside of San Antonio where he attended and played basketball at East Central High School. He went on to play basketball for Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology. He then went on to receive a master’s degree in international studies from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX.
https://www.tamusasports.com/general/2023-24/releases/20240110fhxp6e
