Story and photo by: Michael Stewart, Sports Information Director, Langston University

Langston, Okla. - Langston University has named Nigel Thomas as the Head Coach of the Lions' Men's Basketball team.  Thomas was a former Langston Lion who graduated from LU in 2003.  He will succeed former coach Greg Webb, whose contract was not renewed after Webb coached the Lions to a 2-25 season during the 2010-2011 year, the worst season in his 12-year tenure at LU.Thomas

Thomas has worked with some of the top coaches in the NCAA, including Oklahoma State Head Men's Basketball Coach Travis Ford and Duke Head Men's Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Thomas just finished his third season at Langston University as assistant coach.  Joining him as assistant coach will be Jarriel Vicks, another former Langston Lion who currently ranks as the all-time assists leader at LU, with a total of 331 dished out from his years as a teammate alongside Thomas from 2000 to 2003.

The Detroit, Mich. native is also 3rd all-time in career three-pointers made, with 128.  Vicks served as a graduate assistant last season and during the 2006-2007 season, when the Lions finished with a record of 15-13.  But, Langston also won the Red River Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament after defeating the top three tournament seeds in three consecutive days.  2007 was also the last time that LU was in the NAIA National Championship Tournament in Kansas City, Mo.