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Alabama State hires NAIA championship coach to lead basketball program
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- Alabama State hires NAIA championship coach to lead basketball program
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Alabama State has found its next head men's basketball coach in an NAIA coaching star. The Hornets have announced that they're hiring Chris Wright, who has served as the head coach of Langston University. He takes over for Tony Madlock, who departed the program to join Penny Hardaway at Memphis.
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In a statement, Wright spoke about his excitement to lead the program.
"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."
Alabama State Athletic Director Jason Cable spoke highly of Wright.
"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. His results speak for themselves, and his vision aligns perfectly with where we are going as a program."
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Alabama State President Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr. also weighed in.
"We are proud to continue our strong winning tradition as we welcome Coach Chris Wright to lead our men's basketball program. I have full confidence in the leadership and vision of our Vice President and Athletic Director, Jason Cable, and trust in the direction he is guiding Hornet athletics. We are excited about the future of Hornet basketball. Our goal is clear: to compete at the highest level in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and beyond while developing champion, well-rounded student-athletes prepared for success in life. I look forward to the energy, passion, and leadership that Coach Chris Wright will bring to our program."
Wright is widely considered one of the best basketball coaches in the country. He turned the Langston University men's basketball program into a perennial powerhouse at the NAIA level. When he took over the program, Langston University was 1-27. In his first season, he led the Lions to a 31-3 record and led the team to the NAIA National Championship game twice in his four years with the program.
He joins Alabama State with a 332-121 career record.
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