The Alabama State Hornets are officially in the market for a new head coach.
After four seasons at the helm, Tony Madlock has announced he is stepping down as the leader of the program, closing the chapter on a tenure highlighted by one of the most significant seasons in school history.
“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. “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.”
Alabama State Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Jason Cable praised Madlock’s impact on the program.
“Coach Madlock did a commendable job leading our men’s basketball program. 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.”
A Defining Run
The 2024–25 season marked the pinnacle of Madlock’s tenure in Montgomery. The Hornets finished 20–16 — a seven-win improvement from the previous year — and captured the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament championship.
That run secured a berth in the NCAA Tournament, the program’s fifth all-time appearance. Slotted into the First Four, Alabama State delivered a historic moment, earning its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory with a dramatic 70–68 buzzer-beater win over the Saint Francis Red Flash.
Madlock departs Montgomery with a 51–80 overall record, but his legacy is firmly tied to elevating the program to national relevance during that breakthrough season.
What’s Next
Madlock is reportedly set to join Penny Hardaway’s staff at the Memphis Tigers — a familiar destination. He played at Memphis from 1989–92 and previously served as an assistant coach there from 2018 to 2021.
Alabama State has announced that a national search for the next head coach will begin immediately, signaling a critical moment for a program looking to build on newfound momentum.
