LANGSTON, Okla.––Langston University Athletic Director Donnita Rogers is pleased to announce the appointment of Hall of Famer Crystal Robinson as the 12th head women's basketball coach for the Langston University Lady Lions.
"I am honored to join Langston University, an institution with great heritage on and off the court," Robinson said. "Very few people get the opportunity to pursue their dreams in multiple eras. I missed an NAIA championship twice as a player; now I am excited to chase that dream alongside our student athletes and my new Langston family."
"It's not every day you have the opportunity to hire a first-round WNBA draft pick and four-time Hall of Famer but here we are welcoming one of Oklahoma's and the NAIA's greatest basketball players to Langston University to push our women's program to new heights," Rogers said. "Coach (Crystal) Robinson is a great recruiter and is known for her ability to develop and squeeze the most out of her talent. We believe she has what it takes to provide the missing pieces needed on our quest to acquire the elusive NAIA Championship Red Banner."
Robinson has a storied history in the state of Oklahoma, beginning with being named WBCA (Women's Basketball Coaches Association) High School All-American in 1992 during her time at Atoka High School. Robinson starred at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Okla., being named NAIA First-Team All-American three times, the NAIA Women's Basketball National Player of the Year in 1996 and leading Southeastern to the NAIA National Championship game in 1995 and 1996.
In addition to her induction to the NAIA Hall of Fame, Robinson was inducted into the Atoka Hall of Fame, Southeastern Oklahoma State University Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.
"Coach Crystal Robinson is one of Oklahoma's most accomplished basketball figures, and we are thrilled to welcome her home to lead Langston University's women's basketball program," President Ruth Ray Jackson said. "As an Oklahoma native, NAIA Hall of Famer, WNBA first-round draft pick and championship-winning coach, she embodies the excellence, determination and leadership we strive to cultivate in our student-athletes. Coach Robinson brings an extraordinary level of experience and a deep connection to our state that will inspire our players, strengthen our program, and build upon the proud tradition of Lion athletics."
Following her collegiate playing days, Robinson played over a decade of professional basketball, including being drafted sixth overall in the 1999 WNBA draft by the New York Liberty. Additionally, she also played for the Colorado Xplosion, Elitzur Ramla, Spartak Moscow and the Washington Mystics before retiring professionally in 2007.
She began her coaching career as an assistant on the Mystics staff through the 2008 season. Following her time with the Mystics, Robinson coached at McAlester High School in McAlester, Okla. and led the Lady Buffaloes to the Oklahoma 5A state title in her only season as head coach. Additionally, Robinson was head coach at Murray State College from 2009-2011 and an assistant at NCAA DI Utah State and Texas Christian University.
Most recently, Robinson has served as an assistant at the WNBA level with stops with the Seattle Storm where they won the WNBA championship in 2018, the Dallas Wings (2019-2020), Phoenix Mercury (2022), and Chicago Sky (2024).
Robinson will officially be introduced as head coach at a press conference set for Thursday, June 4th at 11:30 a.m. Press conference will be held on the campus of Langston University inside the Student Success Center.
