Coaches
Chris Tifft, Head Coach Email >>
Chris Tifft is in his third year as the men's head basketball coach at New Mexico Junior College. Tifft came to Hobbs after spending the previous five seasons as the head coach at Lamar Community College (CO), where he was the 2009 District IX Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year.
Under Tifft’s direction NMJC's record has improved each season and the Thunderbirds have compiled an overall record of 35-23. His second New Mexico team in 2010-11 compiled a 19-9 record (6-8 in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference). NMJC finished tied for fourth in the WJCAC after being picked to finish sixth in the preseason coaches poll. The fourth place finish was the highest finish for the Thunderbirds program in nearly a decade.
With 11 freshmen and only four sophomores, the 2010-11 NMJC squad finished the season ranked 8th in the nation in defense (60.1 points allowed per game). They also had an early season victory at #15 Arizona Western College in Yuma, AZ and defeated South Plains College for the first time since the 1999-2000 season. The Thunderbirds had two players recognized by the WJCAC Conference, with freshman forward Dequan Hicks being voted to the All-Conference Team and sophomore point guard Marc Little being named Honorable-Mention All-Conference.
Tifft's first NMJC team featured 15 new players and finished the 2009-10 season with an overall record of 16-14. Tifft led the Thunderbirds to their first national ranking in over a decade when they appeared at #23 in the NJCAA national poll. The Thunderbirds raced out to a 14-3 record to begin the season, and had three victories over nationally-ranked opponents. (#2 Cochise College/#10 Odessa College/#15 North Platte C.C.).
Tifft was introduced as the head coach of the NMJC men's basketball program on May 26, 2009.
“Chris Tifft is exactly the right person in the right place at the right time,” NMJC Athletics Director Don Worth said. “He has everything we need – the experience, the heart, the professionalism, the integrity, the commitment, the people skills, the discipline, the focus, everything – to take this program to the next level. We’re thrilled he’s here, and it’s going to be great watching Chris take the T-Birds to where they need to be.”
In five seasons at Lamar Community College, Tifft led the Runnin’ Lopes to a 100-62 record, while leading the Runnin’ Lopes to three consecutive 20 win seasons for the first time since 1969. In 2009, Tifft led Lamar to its first ever Region IX Championship and qualified the Runnin’ Lopes for their first trip to the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, KS. Lamar concluded the National Tournament with a 3-1 record and placed 5th in the Nation, with an overall record of 28-10.
Tifft admits he was drawn to NMJC for several reasons. “New Mexico Junior College and the city of Hobbs both have great basketball tradition,” he said. “NMJC is a college that is growing and looking to the future, and I feel that the resources are in place to take great care of our student-athletes. The first time I stepped onto the campus at NMJC, I immediately knew there was potential here to build a great basketball program.”
Tifft’s teams have not only been successful on the court, but also in the classroom. During his tenure at Lamar CC, Tifft coached three Academic All-Americans and nine Academic All-Region selections.
Before taking over as the head coach at Lamar Community College, Tifft was an assistant coach at Dodge City C.C. for three seasons. The previous five years Tifft was an assistant at the University of Nevada, Reno, serving on the staffs of Pat Foster and current LSU head coach Trent Johsnon.
Tifft began his collegiate playing career at Columbia University in New York City before transferring to Three Rivers Community College in Missouri. While at Three Rivers, Tifft had the opportunity to play for the most successful coach in the history of junior college basketball, Gene Bess. In 1994, Three Rivers finished with a 33-5 record and a second place showing in the National Junior College Tournament in Hutchinson, KS. Tifft then moved on to the University of Nevada, Reno, where he completed his collegiate playing career.
Coach Tifft holds a Master's Degree in Secondary Education and a Bachelor's Degree in Geography, both from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Tifft and his wife Heather reside in Hobbs with their four year old daughter, Kamryn.
James Miller, Assistant Coach Email >>
James Miller enters his third season with NMJC with experience as both an assistant college basketball coach and high-school basketball coach. He couples this knowledge with degrees in Health, Sport and Exercise Science. He is responsible for the recruitment of prospective student-athletes, aiding in organization of the team's strength and conditioning, scouting, and assisting in scheduling, making travel plans and fundraising.
A native of Colorado, Miller joined the NMJC coaching staff in the fall of 2009. Prior to this, he had served four years as the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Colorado State University-Pueblo in Pueblo, Colorado. This was the sister school to Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree with a focus on health promotion and coaching. After obtaining his bachelor degree, Miller went on to receive his Master of Science Degree with an emphasis in Sport Administration from the University of North Colorado in Greeley, Colorado.
“I know what our student-athletes are capable of and I appreciate Coach Tifft giving me the opportunity to work with him in developing their character and work ethic.”