Following-up on something that I first reported yesterday (NAIA DIRT). Chris Wright has now officially been named as the head coach at NAIA Langston University. Here is the official release from LU:
Langston University Director of Athletics Donnita Rogers is pleased to announce Chris Wright as the head men’s basketball coach for the Langston Lions. Wright just finished his fourth year as the head men’s basketball coach at Talladega College where he led the Tornadoes to a 32-6 record and the NAIA National Championship game.
“We are excited to announce and welcome Chris Wright, our new head men’s basketball coach to Langston University. Our coaching search produced over 120 applicants for this position and Wright continued to standout in every round until he was the final choice,” Director of Athletic Donnita Rogers said. “Coach (Chris) Wright is a proven winner, leader, fundraiser and has a passion for student-athlete development. He’s a tremendous addition to our staff and program and we’re eager to see him lead Langston Lion Basketball to prominence in the Sooner Athletic Conference and at the national level.””I want to thank Dr. (Kent) Smith, Jr. and Director of Athletics Donnita Rogers for giving me the opportunity to be the next Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Langston University,” said head men’s basketball coach Chris Wright. “I am extremely excited about this opportunity as this is a special place where we can accomplish great things. This is an institution that places a high value on athletic and academic success. I share President Smith’s vision and passion for excellence, and I am going to pour my blood, sweat, and tears into making Langston Basketball an elite program.”
Wright just finished his fourth year as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Talladega College. During his tenure, the Tornadoes have compiled a 106-25 record and have reached the NAIA National Tournament in all four seasons.
The 2021-2022 season saw Talladega College ranked as high as number two in the country. They started the season in dominant fashion winning their first 14 games. Wright led the Tornadoes to the NAIA National Championship game before falling to conference foe Loyola University New Orleans. Talladega finished the season 32-6 and Wright was once again named NAIA Hoopdirt Coach of the Week. Darryl Baker was named a Second Team NAIA All-American and was named to the Bevo Francis Top 75 watchlist.
“I am very thankful for the four years my wife and I spent at Talladega College. Our program was able to some accomplish many amazing things, and we made many lifelong friendships. To win 106 games in four years, to make four NAIA National Tournaments, and to be ranked in the nation’s top 10 for three consecutive years is quite a list of accomplishments. To also be the first HBCU since 1987 to make a national championship game is very special.”
In his ten years as a head coach Wright has compiled 211 wins and has proven that he can win at challenging places. It should also be noted that has recruited, coached, and developed 47 players that have played professionally overseas. Wright is a proven coach with extensive experience winning in the NAIA and beyond. His career includes head coaching stops at Central Baptist College in Conway, Arkansas where he led the Mustangs to their first ever NAIA National Tournament appearance and earned a national ranking. Wright served as assistant coach for NCAA Division II powerhouse Angelo State University from 2016-2017, where the Rams were ranked fifth in the country. At Graceland University, where Wright served as head coach from 2015-2016, he guided the Yellowjackets to what was only their second winning season in 21 years. In 2014-2015, Wright served as assistant coach at Arkansas Tech University and pushed the Wonder Boys to a Great American Conference Tournament Championship and a trip to the NCAA Division II National Tournament. Wright spent eight successful seasons at Fresno Pacific University including four seasons as head coach where he transitioned the program from NAIA to NCAA Division II in his final two years with a winning record. Wright began his career in Texas with a season as assistant coach at NCAA Division I Texas State University from 2005-2006, and NCAA Division II St. Edward’s University in Austin from 2003-2005.
Wright is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Learning and Development. He also holds a Master of Arts in Kinesiology from Fresno Pacific.
