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Cort Roberson Hired Graphic

Roberson Joins Men’s Basketball Staff

Former Texas Tech assistant will be an Otter In 2026-27

July 14, 2026

By: Kevin Gilmore (@OtterKevin)
SEASIDE, Calif. — For Cort Roberson, coaching wasn't always the plan. He arrived at college thinking he'd pursue forensic science, but a change in major and an unexpected moment at a youth camp set him on a new path. Now, as he joins Cal State Monterey Bay's men's basketball staff, as Head Coach Isaac Williams' top assistant, Roberson brings a clear sense of purpose rooted in connection, honesty and growth.

The former Wyoming student-athlete and coach steps into a program he's followed from afar for years. Backed by mentors who helped shape his approach, Roberson is ready to make an immediate impact—one built on trust with players and alignment with coach Williams.

Roberson's journey into coaching began with a simple idea: run a basketball camp back home at the Boys and Girls Club of Arlington, Wash., where his father, Harlan, was the athletic director. What happened next changed his life.

"One of the younger girl campers came up to me crying because she was sad the camp was over," Roberson recalled. "She told me how much she loved playing basketball because of me and couldn't wait for me to do another camp."
That encounter stuck with him. "From that moment on, I wanted to try and bring that experience to other athletes wherever I end up," he said.

Roberson's coaching path is deeply connected to the people who guided him, especially former Wyoming Head Coach Jeff Linder, now an assistant at Texas Tech. When an opening appeared at CSUMB, friends in the profession helped make the connection.

Early in the summer, Nick Whitmore, an assistant at Wyoming and one of Roberson's former coaches, reached out about the opportunity. "He reached out to Coach Williams," Roberson said. Linder also called on his behalf, helping bridge the introduction.

"Hiring coaches is always a challenge for us because it means you've lost someone of great value from your team," says Williams. "In this case, it was Otter alumni Akil Reese.  That said, I'm very excited for Cort to get to the peninsula. Cort is going to be a terrific addition to our program, university, and campus community."

Roberson was already familiar with the Otters. "I had learned about CSUMB five years ago when Riley Grabau became the assistant coach," he said. "He was in Laramie my first month I was in Wyoming, so I have kept an eye on the program for a while now."

Now, he's excited to work alongside Williams, who shares a coaching lineage with Linder. "Coach Williams and I have already shared a ton of stories about our times spent with Coach Linder," Roberson said. "Knowing that, Coach Williams can trust my background. I can say the same for him."

"While he is young, he has played for, and coached with, some of the most elite minds in all of basketball," says Williams. "His work ethic and toughness served him well as a player and it will serve him well here as a coach."

Ask Roberson about his coaching style, and he doesn't hesitate. "I am very transparent," he said. "I don't try to sugarcoat anything because I believe the players not only need the truth, but want the truth."

He also understands the importance of building relationships quickly in today's college landscape. "Because every season is basically a year contract, making sure I have a good relationship for the year with each of the players will help them trust my message, whether it's praise or critique," he said.

Roberson's goals at CSUMB are straightforward: make a difference, earn trust, and help the program reach new heights.

"My biggest goal in my first year at CSUMB is to make a positive impact every day and earn the trust of our players, coaching staff and the university," he said. "I want to be someone our student-athletes know they can rely on—whether it's helping them improve on the court, supporting them off the court, or contributing in any way I can to the success of our program."

He's also eager to keep learning. "I want to take advantage of the opportunity to learn from our staff while becoming more knowledgeable in recruiting, player development, compliance and all of the responsibilities that come with building a successful program," he said.

And when it comes to team goals, Roberson is thinking big. "I truly believe we have a real opportunity to accomplish something special this season," he said. "I'd love to help us build on last year's success, surpass what we've achieved and set the single-season program winning record once again. More than anything, I want to do whatever I can to help us compete for a championship and create an environment where student-athletes can be successful both on and off the court."


 
GO OTTERS!





 
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