MADISON- Josh Langford is returning to the basketball court where he was named Alabama Player of the Year in Class 3A five consecutive years. He has been named assistant basketball coach at his alma mater of Madison Academy where he will join the staff of head coach Tom Berryman.

“He will immediately impact our program in all facets as Josh is one of the most decorated high school players to ever play in the state of Alabama and has played at the highest level of college basketball,” said Berryman of the hiring of his new assistant coach.

“I know that my life has been transformed because of the seeds that Madison Academy sowed into me, and I am elated that I have been graced with the opportunity to be able to join them in the great service they are providing the next generation of world changers,” added Langford.

Langford, a 2016 graduate of Madison Academy, recently completed his collegiate basketball time with the Michigan State Spartans where he averaged 10.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and a field goal percentage of 43.1 in 110 games with the national power program. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound team co-captain suffered a severe foot injury and missed the last 17 games of the 2018-2019 and all of the 2019-2020 season. He returned in fine fashion for his final season in 2020-2021 averaging 9.7 points per outing as the Spartans recorded a 15-13 record while playing in the Big 10 Conference. He won the school’s Stephen G. Scofes Inspirational Player Award for his overall inspired play while with the program.

Since his playing career ended, Langford has been working as a Program Director and Mentor at the university’s college of business.

Now 26, Langford has fond memories of Madison Academy where his teams won three state championships. He was a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American as he was the No. 1 player coming out of Alabama and top 20 in the country. He was heavily recruited, but always leaned towards Michigan State. He ended up his time in high school as the No. 8 scorer in Alabama high school history with 3,089 points. His play in high school was a far cry from a near-death experience he suffered while in middle school. Langford survived a severe bout with bacterial meningitis. The serious and life-threatening condition is an infection of the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord.

“He will be able to use what he has learned to help mentor our players about succeeding here, at the next level and beyond,” said Berryman.

Brian Privett, Madison Academy school principal and longtime coach at the private school, said of Langford’s hiring, “While Josh was a student here, he showed tremendous leadership and had a positive impact on our student body. It’s evident by his accomplishments that those qualities continued to grow while he was at MSU. We are so excited to have Josh return to do Kingdom ministry and inspire our students.”

“It is an amazing honor to be able to come and work for Madison Academy,” said Langford, who continues his positive aspects of his upcoming duties at the school by saying, “Go Mustangs!”