BCSP Notes
MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University Athletics announced the hiring of Chris Wright Friday as the new head coach of the Hornets’ men’s basketball program. A press conference was held Tuesday to formally introduce him.
The former head coach at NAIA HBCU programs Langston and Talladega is one of the most accomplished and respected coaches in the country. He brings to Alabama State a 332–121 career record leading six different programs including a recent history of transformational
success with championship-driven outcomes.
He is replacing Tony Madlock who left ASU after five years to become the associate head coach at Memphis.
“Chris Wright represents exactly what we were looking for, a proven winner, a builder of programs and a leader who knows how to
establish and sustain a championship culture,”said Alabama State Vice President and Athletic Director, Dr. Jason Cable. “His results speak
for themselves, and his vision aligns perfectly with where we are going as a program.”
Wright’s most recent success at Langston has been truly historic. Taking over a program that finished 1–27, Wright engineered one of
the most remarkable turnarounds in college basketball, leading Langston to a 31–3 record in his first season (2022–23). Over his four-year
tenure, he compiled an extraordinary 121–21 record, including dominant seasons of 31–3, 35–2, and 29–8, firmly establishing Langston as
a national NAIA powerhouse.
Under Wright’s leadership, Langston advanced to the NAIA national championship game twice, in 2024 and 2026 falling both times
to Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.). His efforts earned him 2022–23 NAIA National Coach of the Year honors, as well as Sooner Athletic Conference Coach of the Year recognition.
Before arriving at Langston, he spent four years at Talladega as the head coach, building the Tornadoes into a perennial national power.
Wright’s teams compiled a 106-25 record and reached the NAIA national tournament in all four seasons.
The 2021-2022 season saw Talladega ranked as high as number two in the country and become the first HBCU to play for an NAIA national championship in over 35 years.
Talladega finished that season 32-6 and fell in the national title game to conference foe Loyola University New Orleans.
In 2020-2021 he led Talladega to a 25-4record along with capturing the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championship. The Tornadoes finished the season ranked ninth in the country before falling to Loyola in the second round of the NAIA national tournament.
Wright was recognized as the GCAC Coach of the Year.
In 2019-2020 the Tornadoes put together another successful campaign as they finished the season 25-7 and soared to a number six national ranking. Talladega once again qualified for the NAIA tournament before the season was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite being hired at the end of July 2018, Wright was able to put together a team that compiled a 24-8 record in his first season. The Tornadoes qualified for the NAIA tournament and finished the year ranked in the NAIA Top 20.
His teams are defined by discipline, defensive intensity, player development, and a relentless commitment to winning.
“I am honored and excited to lead the Alabama State men’s basketball program,” said Wright. “This is a proud institution with a rich
tradition and a passionate fan base. We will build a program that competes for championships every year, develops our student-athletes, and represents this university at the highest level. Our expectation is to win and to win the right way.”
“We are proud to continue our strong winning tradition as we welcome Coach Chris Wright to lead our men’s basketball program”
said Alabama State President Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr.
Our mission is clear,” said Cable. “We are building a program that expects excellence and competes for championships annually. Chris
Wright has done that everywhere he’s been and we expect him to do the same here at Alabama State.”