The Langston University men’s basketball program has a new leader.
Athletic Director Donnita Rogers announced the appointment of Sam Kohnke as the 18th head coach of the Langston University Lions men’s basketball team.
“Coach (Sam) Kohnke has had significant success creating a winning culture at his previous two universities and knows the preparation needed to play deep into March,” Rogers said. “We are excited to have him join our university and are eager to see him lead Langston Lion basketball for years to come.”
The position became open when Chris Wright accepted the head coaching position at Alabama State.
Kohnke said he is honored to take over the program and looks forward to building on its tradition.
“I am beyond excited to be the next head men’s basketball coach at Langston University,” Kohnke said. “I’m grateful to President Ruth Ray Jackson and Athletic Director Donnita Rogers for their trust and belief in me. Langston University is a program with tremendous pride, tradition and purpose, and I’m ready to pour everything I have into our student-athletes and community. I have so much respect for what Coach Chris Wright built here, and I embrace the responsibility that comes with this role. My goal is to honor that foundation and continue building something everyone associated with Langston can be proud of.”
Kohnke arrives at Langston following a standout season at Oklahoma City University, where he led the Stars to a 21-11 record in 2025-26, including an 18-7 mark in Sooner Athletic Conference play and the SAC Tournament championship. The title marked OCU’s first conference tournament championship since 2019 and secured its first NAIA National Tournament appearance since that same year.
He took over the program in late July with just five players on the roster and turned it into a championship team in one season.
Before OCU, Kohnke spent four seasons at Central Baptist College, where he built the most successful run in program history. He compiled a 91-38 record, became the school’s all-time wins leader, and guided the Mustangs to three straight 21-win seasons.
Over his final three years at CBC, his teams won 76 games—the most of any college basketball program in the state of Arkansas during that span. He also led CBC to back-to-back NAIA National Tournament appearances and a run to the NAIA Elite Eight in 2024.
Kohnke was introduced on Tuesday at the C.F. Gayles Field House Atrium.
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