Cris Dishman

Cris Dishman grew up in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky, a naturally gifted athlete with a competitive spirit. Dishman believed from a young age that football was his ticket to something bigger. 

At St. Francis DeSales High School in Louisville, Dishman shined as a versatile athlete, excelling in both football and track. On the field, he quickly earned a reputation for his speed, toughness, and instinctive play. His standout performances led him to Purdue University, where he played cornerback and earned All-Big Ten honors. His athleticism translated to special teams as well—he led the nation in kickoff return average as a sophomore and helped anchor Purdue’s secondary throughout his college career.

In the 1988 NFL Draft, Dishman was selected in the fifth round by the Houston Oilers. He would go on to spend the next 13 seasons in the league, emerging as one of the game’s top cover corners during the 1990s. A starter by his second year, Dishman became known for his physical play, sharp instincts, and ability to match up with elite receivers. He enjoyed his best stretch with the Oilers, including a Pro Bowl selection in 1991, the same year he led the AFC with six interceptions.

He brought a swagger and edge to every secondary he played for, including later stints with the Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs, and Minnesota Vikings. In Washington in 1997, Dishman was again selected to the Pro Bowl and named second team All-Pro.

After stepping away from playing, in 1994 Dishman turned his lifelong knowledge of the game into a second act as a coach and mentor. He took on coaching roles in college, the NFL, NFL Europe, the Canadian Football League, and eventually the newly merged United Football League (UFL). Over the years, he’s served as a defensive backs coach and coordinator for programs such as Menlo College, Baylor University, California, IMG Academy, and pro teams including the San Diego Chargers and Montreal Alouettes. In 2023, he was named defensive coordinator for the New Jersey Generals.

In 2024 Cris Dishman was named head football coach at Texas Southern University, finally having the chance to lead his own program.

Images from San Diego Chargers, Wiki Commons, and crisdishman.com. Biography by Grace Frericks.