Howard Payne University issued the following press release Wednesday afternoon:

On Wednesday, the Howard Payne University athletic department announced the hiring of former Yellow Jacket Nadir Dalleh as the new head coach of the Howard Payne men’s basketball program.

Nadir Dalleh comes to Howard Payne from Brownwood High School in Brownwood, Texas where he led the Lions to two District Championships (2019 and 2020) and Bi-District Championships (2019 and 2020) over the past five seasons while compiling a 101-52 record during that time.

“I am extremely excited to return to Howard Payne University,” said Nadir Dalleh. “My time as a student athlete there was something that I will never forget. The teams I had the privilege to play on, the conference championships awe won and the experiences we all had at the national tournaments, will be something I hope to bring back to HPU.”

At Brownwood, his teams earned five consecutive playoff appearances never finishing below second in the district.

“We are beyond excited to have Nadir Dalleh back at HPU serving as Head Men’s Basketball Coach,” said HPU director of athletics Hunter Sims. “Coach Dalleh was a key piece to some of the very successful HPU basketball teams in the mid to late 90’s. I know he is the perfect fit to lead the men’s basketball program. We are thrilled to add Coach Dalleh’s and his family to our athletics staff.”

Before Brownwood, Coach Dalleh spent one season (2014-2015) at Coleman High School in Coleman, Texas where he led the Bluecats to their first District Championship since 2000 and first Bi-District Championship since 1988.

Dalleh added, “I hate to leave such a great school like Brownwood. The opportunity to coach at the college level, especially my alma mater, was something I could not pass up. I look forward to the new challenges that will come with this opportunity.”

Coach Dalleh started his head coaching career at Early High School in Early, Texas where over two seasons (2012-2013 and 2013-2014) he guided the Longhorns to their first playoff appearance in seven years.

As a head coach, Dalleh is 151-86 overall and has been named District Coach of the Year two in his career (2019 and 2020).

A 2000 graduate of Howard Payne University, Nadir played point guard for the Yellow Jackets from 1993-1997 earning all-conference awards three times included being named the TIAA Defensive Player of the Year in 1996 He helped guide HPU to three straight conference championships and three NAIA national tournament appearances.

Dalleh is married to his wife Courtney and they have two children Ryleigh and Reide, and grandchild Everleigh.

The public is invited to a press conference and formal meet and greet on Friday April 16, 2021 at 3:00 pm in the Bullion Suites of the Mabee University on the Howard Payne University campus.