Casper College has found a new leader for the Thunderbirds
Douglas native Ty Larson returns to Wyoming as the new head coach for Casper College Men’s Basketball. (Courtesy photo)
Casper College has found a new leader for the Thunderbirds. The college announced today that Douglas native Ty Larson has been named the new men’s basketball head coach for the Thunderbirds going into the 2026-27 season. Larson brings with him a strong background in collegiate basketball and recruiting.
Larson replaces interim head coach Deion Anderson, who filled in following the resignation of Tom Parks last April. Larson will officially take over on Monday, April 6.
“Following a national search, the review of more than 170 applications, and an intensive interview process, we are proud to welcome Coach Larson as the next leader of our program. Coach Larson brings the leadership, vision, and commitment to student-athlete success that make him an outstanding fit for Casper College, our community, and Thunderbird Athletics,” said Cam Olson, athletic director.
“Casper College has long been the flagship program in the state of Wyoming and is well-respected in junior college basketball nationally. The chance to come back home and lead a program of this caliber is something I take great pride in,” Larson said.
“I am excited about the opportunity to bring what I have learned at the highest levels of college basketball back home. I want to represent Casper College the right way and continue competing for championships while running a program that the community and college can be proud of,” said Larson.
Larson arrives from Arizona State Men’s Basketball, where he served as special adviser to Head Coach Bobby Hurley. In this role, Larson functioned as a full-time Power Five assistant coach over the past two seasons. During the 2024-2025 season, Arizona State integrated 14 new players and earned a championship appearance at the Southwest Maui Invitational. The Sun Devils recorded notable wins over Texas, Texas Tech, and Kansas. In the 2024–25 season, the program captured the Acrisure Classic Championship and competed in the College Basketball Crown, a postseason invitational tournament.
Before Arizona State, Larson was part of the Texas Longhorns Men’s Basketball staff, serving as the director of recruiting and graduate assistant under both Chris Beard and Rodney Terry. During his three seasons in Austin, Texas, the team compiled a 72–34 (.679) record, made two NCAA Tournament appearances, advanced to the Elite Eight in 2023, and won the 2023 Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament Championship.
Larson began his collegiate coaching career with the Texas Tech Red Raiders Men’s Basketball team as a student assistant from 2019 to 2021. During the 2020-2021 season, Texas Tech went 18–11, advanced to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32, and remained ranked in the AP Top 25 throughout the entire season for the first time in program history, climbing as high as No. 7.
Over seven years in the Big 12 Conference, Larson has worked under some of the nation’s top coaches, including Chris Beard, who was named AP National Coach of the Year in 2019, and Rodney Terry, who also served as the head coach at Fresno State and UTEP. Hurley is one of the most decorated players in college basketball history, and his jersey hangs in Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke University.
As a player, Larson competed for two seasons in the Region-9 Conference at Eastern Wyoming College from 2017 to 2019, serving as team captain both years and starting 11 games.
A native of Douglas, Larson was an all-state performer in both basketball and football at Douglas High School.
At a Glance:
- New Appointment: Ty Larson named head coach for Casper College Men’s Basketball for the 2026-27 season.
- Effective Date: Larson officially begins his duties on Monday, April 6, 2026.
- Preceding Staff: Larson replaces interim coach Deion Anderson; succeeds Tom Parks.
- Experience: Previous coaching roles at Arizona State, Special Adviser/Assistant; University of Texas, Director of Recruiting; and Texas Tech.
- Career Highlights: Involved in the 2023 Elite Eight run with Texas and the 2024 Acrisure Classic Championship with ASU.
- Local Roots: A Douglas, Wyoming, native and former all-state athlete at Douglas High School; played in Region-9 for Eastern Wyoming College.