BCSP Notes

Chris Wright leaves Langston to take over at Alabama State

MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University Athletics announced the hiring of Chris Wright Friday as the new head coach of the Hornets’ men’s basketball program. A press conference was held Tuesday to formally introduce him.

The former head coach at NAIA HBCU programs Langston and Talladega is one of the most accomplished and respected coaches in the country. He brings to Alabama State a 332–121 career record leading six different programs including a recent history of transformational success with championship-driven outcomes.

He is replacing Tony Madlock who left ASU after five years to become the associate head coach at Memphis.

“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,” said Alabama State Vice President and Athletic Director, Dr. Jason Cable. “His results speak for themselves, and his vision aligns perfectly with where we are going as a program.”

Wright’s most recent success at Langston has been truly historic. Taking over a program that finished 1–27, Wright engineered one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college basketball, leading Langston to a 31–3 record in his first season (2022–23). Over his four-year tenure, he compiled an extraordinary 121–21 record, including dominant seasons of 31–3, 35–2, and 29–8, firmly establishing Langston as a national NAIA powerhouse.

Under Wright’s leadership, Langston advanced to the NAIA national championship game twice, in 2024 and 2026 falling both times to Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.). His efforts earned him 2022–23 NAIA National Coach of the Year honors, as well as Sooner Athletic Conference Coach of the Year recognition.

Before arriving at Langston, he spent four years at Talladega as the head coach, building the Tornadoes into a perennial national power. Wright’s teams compiled a 106-25 record and reached the NAIA national tournament in all four seasons.

The 2021-2022 season saw Talladega ranked as high as number two in the country and become the first HBCU to play for an NAIA national championship in over 35 years. Talladega finished that season 32-6 and fell in the national title game to conference foe Loyola University New Orleans.

In 2020-2021 he led Talladega to a 25-4 record along with capturing the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championship. The Tornadoes finished the season ranked ninth in the country before falling to Loyola in the second round of the NAIA national tournament. Wright was recognized as the GCAC Coach of the Year.

In 2019-2020 the Tornadoes put together another successful campaign as they finished the season 25-7 and soared to a number six national ranking. Talladega once again qualified for the NAIA tournament before the season was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite being hired at the end of July 2018, Wright was able to put together a team that compiled a 24-8 record in his first season. The Tornadoes qualified for the NAIA tournament and finished the year ranked in the NAIA Top 20.

His teams are defined by discipline, defensive intensity, player development, and a relentless commitment to winning.

“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.”

“We are proud to continue our strong winning tradition as we welcome Coach Chris Wright to lead our men’s basketball program” said Alabama State President Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr.

Our mission is clear,” said Cable. “We are building a program that expects excellence and competes for championships annually. Chris Wright has done that everywhere he’s been and we expect him to do the same here at Alabama State.”

Kevin Herod moves from Florida Memorial to Allen

Allen University Athletics Director Stanley Cromartie made the announcement Friday that former Florida Memorial Women’s Basketball Head Coach Kevin Herod will become the new head coach of the Yellow Jackets.

Herod, a successful 20-year veteran coach, brings a sterling 245-105 (.705) overall record in 12 seasons as a head coach helming three programs that have soared in the NAIA ranks with five conference championships, two tournament titles, and six NAIA postseason appearances.

In the just completed 2025-26 season, Florida Memorial finished 16–9 overall and 10–6, tied for third place in conference play before falling in the Sun Conference tournament quarterfinals.

In the 2024-25 season, he guided FMU to a 24–5 overall record and a 13–3 mark in conference play. That performance culminated in a Sun Conference Tournament Championship and a berth in the NAIA national tournament.

Prior to joining Florida Memorial, he led Langston University to a combined 41–21 record in two seasons, including a 24–8 record and an NAIA tournament appearance during the 2023–24 season.

Before Langston, Herod became the all-time winningest coach in Talladega College history, a distinction earned through years of consistency, culture-building, and postseason success.

At Talladega, he also served as the director of athletics, where he oversaw one of the most successful eras in the school’s modern history.

Herod will be replacing Olivia Gaines who was relieved of her duties despite a strong two-year record. Gaines, who played for Dawn Staley at South Carolina, led the Yellow Jackets to 36–19 overall and 29–14 record in SIAC play.

HBCU Live Xperience this weekend in San Antonio

The HBCU Live Xperience All Star Game, showcasing the top NAIA HBCU men’s and women’s basketball talent in the country will be held Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 at the Alamo Convocation Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Sponsored by the Urban League of San Antonio, the HBCU Live Xperience is a two-day celebration of the history, legacy, and culture of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This dynamic weekend brings together students, families, alumni, and community members for an unforgettable experience rooted in education, culture, and opportunity.

The inaugural event will also feature a statewide College & Career Fair on Friday connecting more than 1,000 high school students with colleges and universities, the inaugural Step X step show celebrating the rich tradition of HBCU stepping, and to cap it off, the HBCU Live Xperience All-Star Basketball Games on Saturday.

“The HBCU Live Xperience is built on a proven foundation. Since 2022, we have successfully delivered HBCU basketball events through invitationals, classics, and conference challenges,” said event host Mario Davis. ”This is more than an event, it’s a unified platform that authentically reflects the depth of HBCU history, culture, and athletic excellence.”

Talladega College Women’s Basketball Head Coach Andre Payne has been selected to serve as one head coach for the women’s game while former Talladega Head Coach Kevin Herod, who just left Florida Memorial to become head coach at Allen, has been selected to lead the opposing team.

Though full rosters were not available, among the players named to the men’s all-star teams are Nicholas Beaird-Kennard and Mark Cooper of Fisk and Cameron Hedge and Braelon Seals of Houston-Tillotson.

Calvin Miller tabbed as Langston Interim head football coach

LANGSTON – Langston University and Director of Athletics Donnita Rogers are pleased to announce the appointment of Calvin Miller as the interim head football coach for the Lions. Coach Miller takes the helm in the 103rd year of the historic Langston University football program.

An introductory press conference for Coach Calvin Miller was held Tuesday, April 7th at the C.F. Gayles Field House Atrium.

“We are excited to announce Calvin Miller as our new interim head football at Langston University,” Rogers said. “Sometimes you’re blessed to be able to find treasure hidden in plain sight and we have exactly that in Coach Miller. He brings decades of experience at the NAIA and NCAA DI level. He’s been a loyal steward to our football program for the past 15 years and I am looking forward to seeing him fulfill the vision he has for Langston University football.”

“I am very excited for this opportunity and this has presented itself to me for such a time as this,” Miller said. “I’ve been around the game for nearly 40 years. I’ve served in various capacities as an associate head coach, assistant head coach and I feel like I’m ready and capable to be able to lead Langston University football forward.”

Miller most recently finished his 15th year on the Langston football staff and his 42nd year coaching at the collegiate level. Miller has served as the defensive line coach since 2010 and since 2017 as the assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator.

“Coach Calvin Miller’s appointment as interim head football coach reflects both his deep understanding of the game and the respect he has earned at every level—as a player, a coach, and a leader of young men,” Langston University President Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson said. “His steady commitment, discipline, and character embody the values we expect from those entrusted with guiding our student athletes. I have every confidence that he will lead with integrity and purpose during this transition, and I appreciate his continued dedication to the program and its future.”

Since 2017, Miller has helped coordinate a defense that has produced 16 All-SAC first-team selections, 11 All-SAC second-team selections, 23 All-SAC Honorable Mention selections, one AFCA All-America selection and one Associate Press All-American selection.

Prior to his arrival at Langston, Miller served five years as the defensive line coach at the University of Central Oklahoma. Miller started his coaching career at Evangel College in 1979 and then had stints at Langston (1987) and the University of Tulsa (1988-1990) under Dave Rader before returning to Oklahoma State on Bob Simmons staff as defensive ends coach in 1991. He then coached at Kentucky from 1995-1997 under former coaches Bill Curry and Hal Mumme before returning to Oklahoma State on Simmons staff, where he coached the Cowboys until 2001.

A native of Gulfport, Miss., Miller was an All-American at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College before arriving at Oklahoma State, where he started for two years, including the 1974 Fiesta Bowl season. His experience as a professional player includes stops with Atlanta and the New York Giants as well as stints with the CFL’s Edmonton, Winnipeg and Saskatchewan franchises and the WFL’s Birmingham team.

Dallas safety Markquese Bell arrested on drug charges

Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell, a former standout defensive star at Florida A&M, was arrested Saturday and charged with possession of a controlled substance and marijuana, according to Collin County jail records.

Bell’s arrest occurred on April 11, per the records, and was made by Prosper (Texas) police. Further details about the circumstances of the arrest have not yet been disclosed.

The possession of a controlled substance is considered a felony. Meanwhile, the marijuana possession is considered a Class B misdemeanor – which Texas’ penal code outlines as being punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 and a jail sentence of no longer than 180 days, if the offending individual is found guilty.

Bell just finished the first season of a three year, $9 million extension he signed with Dallas on eve of 2025 free agency. He is set to have a cap hit of just over $2.8 million in 2026, per Spotrac.com, and is owed $2 million in cash for the 2026 season

Bell’s agent – Deiric Jackson – said his client would let the legal process play out.

“Certainly let Markquese have his day like anybody else,” Jackson told the Associated Press.

Even as that legal process plays out, Bell could face potential discipline from the NFL. The league outlines “illegal possession, use, or distribution of alcohol or drugs” as “prohibited conduct” under its personal conduct policy.

Bell has never before faced league discipline under the personal conduct policy, but he has been fined four times for on-field acts.

Bell has played four NFL seasons to date, all with the Cowboys, since going undrafted out of Florida A&M. The 27-year-old safety has appeared in 48 career games with 11 starts and has recorded 142 tackles, four TFL, three forced fumbles, one interception and seven pass defenses.