Tarleton State Basketball Coach Billy Gillispie has temporarily introduced leave after anonymous complaint

Tarleton State placed men’s basketball coach Billy Gilispie on temporary administrative leave after receiving an anonymous complaint, vice president of Intercollegiate athletics Steve Uryasz said on Friday in a statement.

Tarleton State said it has started an evaluation of employee guidance and will not comment on this matter. Associate head coach Gynn Cyprien was named acting head coach while Gillispie is on leave.

There are currently no other details about the anonymous complaint.

Gillispie, 65, has coached Tarleton State for five seasons and collected a record of 78-74. The Texans open their regular season on SMU on November 3.

During his career, Gillispie led five programs and brought three to the NCAA tournament – Utep (2004), Texas A&M (2006, 2007) and Kentucky (2008). The wildcats fired him in 2009 after they had not reached the tournament for the first time in 17 years.

Six months later, Gillispie entered a drug abuse program in Houston after his third arrest for drunk driving in 10 years.

He returned to coaching at Texas Tech prior to the 2011-12 season, but resigned in September 2012, with reference to health problems. Gillispie’s resignation came weeks after Texas Tech announced that the accusations of mistreatment of basketball players would investigate. The Red Raiders later admitted to practicing rules under Gillispie.

In 13 seasons and five schools, Gillispie has a record of 226-182.

(Photo: Chris Jones / Imagn Images)