{"id":708325,"date":"2026-04-11T17:13:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T17:13:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/708325\/"},"modified":"2026-04-11T17:13:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T17:13:10","slug":"alabama-state-hires-chris-wright-as-mens-basketball-coach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/708325\/","title":{"rendered":"Alabama State hires Chris Wright as men’s basketball coach"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Naia<\/a><\/p>\n

FILE \u2013 Langston University head men\u2019s basketball coach Chris Wright talks to his players during the first half of the NAIA men\u2019s national championship college basketball game against Freed-Hardeman, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo\/Charlie Riedel)<\/p>\n

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) \u2013 Alabama State University has announced that it\u2019s hired Chris Wright as its new head men\u2019s basketball coach.<\/p>\n

Wright has an overall 332\u2013121 career record, a history of transformational success and a championship-driven approach, the university said.<\/p>\n

\u201cChris 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,\u201d Alabama State Vice President and Athletic Director Jason Cable said. \u201cHis results speak for themselves, and his vision aligns perfectly with where we are going as a program.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are proud to continue our strong winning tradition as we welcome Coach Chris Wright to lead our men\u2019s basketball program. Alabama State President Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr., said. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

University officials say Wright\u2019s most recent success at Langston University in Oklahoma has been historic. Taking over a program that finished 1\u201327, Wright engineered one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college basketball, leading Langston to a 31\u20133 record in his first season (2022\u201323). Over his four-year tenure, he compiled a 121\u201321 record, including dominant seasons of 31\u20133, 35\u20132, and 29\u20138, firmly establishing Langston as a national powerhouse.<\/p>\n

Under Wright\u2019s leadership, Langston advanced to the NAIA National Championship game twice and made multiple Sweet 16 appearances, consistently competing at the highest level on the national stage. His efforts earned him 2022\u201323 NAIA National Coach of the Year honors, as well as Sooner Athletic Conference Coach of the Year recognition.<\/p>\n

Beyond Langston, the university says Wright has demonstrated sustained excellence throughout his career, including at Talladega College, further reinforcing his reputation as one of the premier program builders in the game today. His teams are defined by discipline, defensive intensity, player development, and a relentless commitment to winning, they said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am honored and excited to lead the Alabama State Men\u2019s Basketball program,\u201d said Wright. \u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Information from Alabama State University<\/p>\n

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