BCSP
MONTGOMERY, Ala. | After four years as head coach of Alabama State men’s basketball, Tony Madlock announced Sunday he is stepping down from his position. He will be rejoining Penny Hardaway’s University of Memphis basketball staff as associate head coach, where he previously worked from 2018 to 2021.
Madlock, a Memphis native who also played with Hardaway at Memphis during the 1991-92 season, was initially hired by Hardaway in March 2018.
He left after the 2021 season to become head coach at South Carolina State where he compiled a 15-16 record in his lone season before taking the reins at Alabama State. At ASU, he replaced Mo Williams who left the Hornets to become the head coach at Jackson State.
In his four seasons at ASU, Madlock compiled a 51-80 overall record, 33-39 in SWAC play. This season’s team finished 10-
22 overall, 7-11 in SWAC regular season play before bowing to Alcorn State in the first round of the SWAC Tournament.
His highlight leading the Hornets came during the 2024-25 season when his squad won 10 of its final 12 games including three consecutive victories at the SWAC Tournament to win the program’s fifth SWAC Tournament title and advance to the program’s fifth NCAA Tournament appearance.
The team then earned ASU’s second First Four appearance and won the program’s first NCAA Tournament victory with a dramatic buzzer-beater to defeat Saint Francis 70-68. The remarkable season earned Madlock the HBCU Sports Coach of the Year accolades, while Amar Knox and his son, TJ Madlock, were named first and second team All-SWAC, respectively.
The team finished the season 20-16 overall and 12-6 in the SWAC.
“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.”