“When we set out to hire a new men’s basketball coach we wanted a man that was a Christian, a winner and a leader of men and we know Coach Dalleh knows all these things,” said HPU Director of Athletics Hunter Sims. “He’s a proven winner and he knows how to win specifically at HPU, multiple times in fact referencing his conference championships during his time here. He sets a high standard for himself, for the basketball program, for the institution, but he has even higher expectations for his student-athletes as you can see by his track record with his former student-athletes, most recently at Brownwood High School and all their academic all-district accolades, having every student achieve that this year. We know he’s the perfect fit for us.”
Dalleh said of the opportunity to coach at both of his alma maters, “I love being a part of this community and being a part of Brownwood and having an opportunity to turn them around was a great honor. It wasn’t about me, it was about the kids and the school and I have as much pride in that school as I have pride in this school as well. I’m looking forward to this opportunity.”
A 2000 graduate of HPU, Dalleh played point guard for the Yellow Jackets from 1993-97 under head coach Charles Pattillo, earning all-conference awards three times, including being named the TIAA Defensive Player of the Year in 1996. Dalleh helped guide HPU to three straight conference championships and three NAIA national tournament appearances. Dalleh will also be recognized as an alumni coach of the year at HPU Sports Alumni Banquet on Saturday, May 15.
“When walking into the historic Brownwood Coliseum you’re surrounded by championship banners and accolades from years gone by, highlighting the successes of teams throughout the various decades. I’m excited that today we get to introduce as our new head basketball coach, a player who actually helped hang a few of those banners,” said HPU President Dr. Cory Hines. “I’m so excited about the future of Yellow Jackets men’s basketball. With Nadir running the point, our program is poised for an exciting new chapter in its history.”
Dalleh owns a 151-86 career record with stops at Early, Coleman and Brownwood, and he was named district coach of the year in 2019 and 2020. Dalleh posted a 101-52 record in five seasons at his alma matter, Brownwood, with a pair of district championships, including the program’s first since 1991. The Lions made the playoffs all five seasons, earning a pair of bi-district championships, and never finished lower than second in the final district standings.
“There’s different challenges, every school is different and the leap from high school to college is totally different,” Dalleh said regarding the task of rebuilding another program, this time at the college level. “There’s a lot of things I’m going to have to catch up on, but I’m going to hit it just like I did the high school programs. I talked to the guys earlier this week and said if you want to turn it around just buy in to what we’re doing here and there’s no telling what will happen.”
Speaking of his short-term and long-term goals for the program, Dalleh said. “I want to win. Long-term I’d like to see us on the national level, no doubt. I wouldn’t mind that being a short-term goal, too. I know there’s little steps you have to take and I’m willing to take those. Every challenge I’m going to meet head on and I’m ready to roll.”
Several of Dalleh’s former teammates, as well as Coach Patillo, were on hand at Friday’s press conference.
“These guys right here are like my brothers,” Dalleh said. “Most of them are in the coaching community and if they’re not they’re going to tell me how to coach right. This is my extended family no doubt, I trust those guys with anything. Having them on board and supporting me and especially being here, that means the world to me.”
Dalleh is married to his wife Courtney, and they have two children Ryleigh and Reide, and one grandchild Everleigh.
“Being in a coach’s family is not easy with the hours we’re gone, you have to put us with us when we get home when it hasn’t been a good day or good night, it’s something I know Courtney’s learned to live with,” Dalleh said with a laugh. “I appreciate them for sure.”
