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. Ty Larson has been named the new men’s basketball head coach, bringing a high-level coaching pedigree from Arizona State and the Big 12 back to his home state of Wyoming. Larson also 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.
Ty Larson’s Coaching Path to Casper
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: Casper College names Ty Larson as the new leader of the Thunderbird Men’s Basketball program.
- Key Date: Ty Larson officially takes over on Monday, April 6, 2026.
- Background: Ty Larson arrives from Arizona State; previously served at the University of Texas and Texas Tech.
- Local Roots: A Douglas native, Ty Larson was an all-state athlete and played for Eastern Wyoming College.