LANGSTON - Langston University Men's Basketball Head Coach Chris Wright has accepted a position as the Head Men's Basketball Coach at NCAA Division I program Alabama State University. A national search will be held to determine the next leader of Lion's men's basketball.
"Coach Wright's impact on Langston University basketball has become legendary in just a few short years," said Langston University Athletic Director Donnita Drain-Rogers. "The program, culture and championship level of play he created set the standard for small college hoops. I look forward to watching his impact on NCAA Division I basketball and celebrating his future success."
In his four years at Langston University, Wright has amassed a record of 121-21, bringing a winning culture back to LU men's basketball. His teams have made the NAIA National Championship Tournament each year, finishing in the Round of 16 in 2023 and 2025 and as the National Runner-Up in 2024 and 2026.
Wright's time at Langston University has been highlighted with many historic moments. After inheriting a program that went 1-27 in the 2021-22 season, Wright engineered the single greatest turnaround in the history of college basketball when he took over the program in 2022. The Lions finished that season at 31-3 overall and climbed to No. 3 in the national polls. The program became the first ever HBCU to win the Sooner Athletic Conference regular season crown along with capturing the SAC Conference Tournament Championship.
His teams went on to win the SAC regular season title in 2022 and 2023, and SAC tournament championship in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
During his time at LU, Wright's players conference accomplishments include 2 Players of the Year, 3 Newcomers of the Year, 2 Defensive Players of the Year, in addition to 6 players on the All SAC First Team, 3 players on the ALL SAC Second Team, 4 players on the All SAC Third Team, 6 All SAC Defense players and 1 All SAC Freshman. Nationally, five of his players achieved NAIA All-American status.
Most recently, during the 2025-26 season, the Langston University Lions achieved a 29-8 overall record, finishing as the runners-up in both the SAC regular season and conference tournaments and earning the Lions the 4 seed in the Liston quadrant of the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament. They battled through five other teams before eventually falling to Freed-Hardeman University in the national championship game 76-71.
"Over the past four years so many people have poured their blood, sweat and tears into transforming Langston University basketball into what it is now, one of the most successful programs at any level of college basketball," Wright said. "I am beyond thankful to all of you that have played a role in this incredible transformation. Leaving LU has proven to be the most difficult decision I have ever made in my life. To say that I love this place is a vast understatement.
"Ally, Reece and I are forever grateful for our time here. You have touched our hearts and have forever changed our lives. This is not a goodbye, but a, 'See you later.' L's up."
The program boasted a 3.14 team GPA in the Fall 2025 semester and was named a recipient of the NABC's Academic Excellence Award. For his efforts in 2022-23, Wright was named the John Hudson SAC Coach of the Year, the NAIA National Coach of the Year by Hoopdirt.com and the Jack Bennett Man of the Year, which exemplifies winning with integrity.
Langston University wishes Coach Wright and his family the best of luck in their future endeavors.
"Coach Wright's influence elevated not only men's basketball at Langston University, but the institution as a whole," President Ruth Ray Jackson said. "The expertise and passion he brings to the game is matched only by his care for our players and for their success beyond the court. I am proud of the four incredible seasons led by Coach Wright and his staff, and we wish him continued success at Alabama State."
