Madlock steps down as Alabama State head basketball coach
Tony Madlock steps down as the head basketball coach at Alabama State after leading the program for four years, including a SWAC tournament championship and the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win in 2025.
By GRAHAM DUNN
Tony Madlock announced on Sunday he is stepping down from his position of head coach after spending four years at the helm of Alabama State basketball.
The announcement comes after a season where the Hornets finished 10-22 overall and 7-11 in SWAC play. The Hornets were eliminated in the first round of the conference tournament in early March.
"Coach Madlock did a commendable job leading our men's basketball program," stated Dr. Jason Cable, the school’s vice president and director of athletics. "In just three seasons, he transformed the program into a 20-win team, a SWAC champion, and a history-making NCAA Tournament team that won the first tournament game in the history of the program."
Madlock led the team to a magical run in 2024-25 where he led the Hornets to wins in 10 of their final 12 games, three consecutive victories in the SWAC Tournament to win the program's fifth tournament title and advance to the program's fifth NCAA Tournament appearance. The team finished the season 20-16 overall and 12-6 in the SWAC.
The Hornets would win its first NCAA Tournament game, defeating St. Francis on a dramatic buzzer-beater, 70-68.
The conference title and NCAA win earned Madlock HBCU Sports Coach of the Year honors.
"I would like to thank Dr. Ross and Dr. Cable for their leadership and support during my time as the head men's basketball coach,” Madlock said in a release. “My family and I would like to thank Hornet Nation for their love and support. During that magical 2024-2025 season, history was truly made.
“To all my former players, student managers, trainers, administrators, and assistant coaches, you have been so influential in my growth as a coach. Alabama State University and the city of Montgomery will always have a special place in my heart."
ASU has begun a search for its next coach, who will be the 14th in school history.