Tom Herrion joined the USF coaching staff as assistant coach on March 25, 2017 and is entering his fourth season with the Bulls. Herrion was promoted to Associate Head Coach prior to the start of the 2020-21 season.
Herrion helped USF to the top win turnaround in the NCAA during the 2018-19 season, as the Bulls won 14 more games than the previous season. In addition, USF turned in a 24-14 overall record to set a new single-season school record for wins. The Bulls would go on to win the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) championship and claim the program’s first postseason title since 1990.
Herrion played an instrumental role in the development of 2019 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year Laquincy Rideau and 2019 American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Alexis Yetna. Rideau and guard David Collins were also selected to the All-AAC Third Team to become the first two USF players in school history to be named all-conference in The American.
Under the direction of Herrion, USF once again proved to be one of the top defensive teams in the NCAA during the 2019-20 season and finished the year ranked 20th in scoring defense by allowing only 62.7 points per game. The Bulls limited eight teams to fewer than 60 points during the season and held 27 of their 31 opponents under their scoring average at the time of play. The Bulls also ranked 44th in the nation in turnovers forced with 15.6 per game, and stood 65th in the NCAA in steals with 7.5 thefts per game.
A head coach at both Marshall (2010-14) and the College of Charleston (2002-06), Herrion has posted four 20-win seasons and earned three postseason berths, including two NIT appearances (2012, 2003). Herrion was also a special assistant for Jamie Dixon at TCU, the 2017 NIT Champions. He reunited with Coach Gregory following a two-year stint as assistant coach at Georgia Tech (2014-16).
Prior to TCU, Herrion assisted Gregory in helping the Yellow Jackets reach the 2016 NIT Quarterfinals.
At Marshall, Herrion brought the Thundering Herd to two postseason tournaments including the NIT in 2012, the program’s first NIT appearance in 24 years.
Herrion initially worked for Dixon at Pittsburgh (2007-10), where he was promoted from an assistant to an associate head coach. The Panthers earned three NCAA tournament appearances, won the 2008 Big East Tournament and reached the Sweet 16 in 2007.
In his collegiate head coaching debut, Herrion piloted a 25-win season for the College of Charleston (2003). The Cougars won the 2003 regular season title and reached the second round of the NIT.
Herrion also assisted Pete Gillen at Virginia (1998-02) and Providence (1994-98). At Virginia, the Cavaliers appeared in two NIT appearances and one NCAA Tournament (2001). With Providence, Herrion assisted the Friars reach two NIT appearances and a trip to the Elite Eight in 1997.
A graduate of Merrimack in 1989, Herrion earned his B.S. in psychology. He played collegiately on both the Warrior’s baseball and basketball teams. He later returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach (1989-94).
Coaching runs deep in the Herrion family. Tom’s late father, Jim, was an assistant coach at Holy Cross and a former head coach at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. His brother, Bill, is currently the head coach at the University of New Hampshire. Previously, Bill was a head coach at both East Carolina and Drexel.
Tom and his wife, Leslie have one son, Robert James.
Coaching Timeline
| Years |
School |
Position |
| 1989-94 |
Merrimack |
Assistant Coach |
| 1994-98 |
Providence |
Assistant Coach |
| 1998-02 |
Virginia |
Assistant Coach |
| 2002-06 |
College of Charleston |
Head Coach |
| 2007-10 |
Pittsburgh |
Assistant Coach |
| 2010-14 |
Marshall |
Head Coach |
| 2014-16 |
Georgia Tech |
Assistant Coach |
| 2016-17 |
TCU |
Special Assistant |
| 2017-present |
USF |
Assistant Coach |
