Chris Tifft took over as head coach of the California State University San Bernardino men’s basketball program in May 2025.
Coach Tifft comes to CSUSB from fellow CCAA school Cal Poly Humboldt, where he served as head coach for the past two seasons.
Tifft was named head coach at Cal Poly Humboldt in July of 2023 and quickly put together a roster comprised of 14 newcomers and two returners. That recruiting class included the eventual 2023-24 CCAA Freshman of the Year, Rob Diaz.
In Tifft’s second season with the Lumberjacks, Cal Poly Humboldt was one of the most improved Division II programs in the country. Humboldt finished the 2024-25 season with an 18-11 overall record and a 13–9 mark in CCAA play - their best season since 2015–16. The Lumberjacks’ 12-win improvement over the previous season was the third highest in the nation. The 2024-25 team had five players earn All-CCAA selections, including the Lumberjacks second consecutive CCAA Freshman of the Year, Aidan Fowler.
Cal Poly Humboldt advanced to the CCAA Tournament and defeated Cal Poly Pomona 70-52 in the first round before falling to Cal State Dominguez Hills in the semifinal. This was Cal Poly Humboldt’s first appearance in the CCAA Semifinals since 2016.
The 2024-25 regular season was highlighted by numerous key wins, including a thrilling victory over CCAA champion and Division II national runner-up Dominguez Hills on January 25. The Lumberjacks also completed season sweeps of Cal State San Bernardino and Cal State LA, while also twice defeating Cal Poly Pomona.
During the 2024-25 season, the Lumberjacks led the CCAA in field goal percentage (47.6%) and blocks per game (5.0), ranking 10th in Division II in the latter category.
Before taking over the helm at Cal Poly Humboldt, Tifft served as assistant coach under Trent Johnson at Cal State Northridge. From 2019-21, Tifft spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Central Michigan University under Keno Davis. In his first season on the sidelines, the Chippewas ranked first in the Mid-American Conference and 21st nationally in scoring (78.6 points per game) and ninth in the nation in steals per game (9.1).
Tifft served as the special assistant to Saint Louis University head coach Travis Ford from 2016-19 where he helped the program capture the Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship and earn an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019. During his three seasons at SLU, Tifft helped the Billikens pick up marquee wins over such programs as Virginia Tech, Butler, Seton Hall and Oregon State.
Tifft came to Saint Louis in 2016, following four seasons as a member of the men's basketball staff at TCU, including the final two as an assistant coach.
While at TCU, Tifft aided in the Horned Frogs' transition to the Big 12 Conference in 2012-13. That season saw the program record four wins over teams that advanced to postseason play, including a 62-55 decision over No. 5 Kansas, the school's first-ever victory against a top five opponent.
Before arriving at TCU in 2012, Tifft spent three seasons as the head coach at New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, NM. Tifft led the Thunderbirds to 58 wins in his three seasons (2009-12), improving their win total each year. The Thunderbirds concluded the 2011-12 season with a 23-9 record and a second-place finish in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference, the program's best finish in 14 seasons.
Prior to NMJC, Tifft led Lamar Community College (Col.) to a 100-62 record in five seasons as head coach (2004-09). From 2007-09, the Runnin' Lopes posted three consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time since 1969. Tifft was named the 2009 District 9 Coach of the Year after leading the program to its first ever Region IX championship and first ever appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan.
Tifft's coaching career began at his alma mater, the University of Nevada. While at Nevada, Tifft worked as an assistant on the staffs of both Pat Foster and Trent Johnson. The Wolf Pack's 1997 squad won 21 games and participated in the postseason NIT, winning a first-round game over Fresno State. During his five years at Nevada, Tifft coached seven All-Conference selections and helped the Wolf Pack transition from the Big West Conference to the WAC.
Tifft began his collegiate playing career as a shooting guard at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Mo. While at TRCC, Tifft helped lead his 1993-94 team to a 33-5 record, a Region XVI championship and an appearance in the NJCAA National Championship game. During his time at Three Rivers, Tifft played for the winningest coach in the history of college basketball across any level, Gene Bess, who has 1,300 career wins.
After leaving Three Rivers, Tifft continued his collegiate playing career at the University of Nevada in Reno. Over two seasons, the Wolf Pack won 34 games and made an appearance in the Big West Tournament Championship game in 1995.
Tifft earned a bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Nevada in 1996 and a master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Nevada in 1999. Originally from Macomb, Ill., Tifft is married to the former Heather Davis of Carson City, Nev. The couple has a daughter, Kamryn, who is a freshman for the University of Nevada volleyball team.
