Head Coach
Chris Leggett is the newly named Head Coach of the Columbia State Lady Chargers and a dedicated leader in collegiate basketball. A native of Meridian, Mississippi, and a graduate of Meridian High School, Leggett made an immediate impact at Columbia State. After serving as the Assistant Coach for both the men's and women's programs during the 2024–2025 season, he stepped into the Interim Head Coach role in January and led the Lady Chargers to a second place finish in conference play. He also played a key role in guiding the men's team to both the regular season and conference tournament championships.
Prior to Columbia State, Leggett spent three seasons as the Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the men's basketball program at Fort Valley State University in Georgia. There, he managed basketball operations and player development, helping lead the team to its most successful season in a decade. His coaching journey also includes a season at Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, where he helped the program achieve its highest win total in years.
Leggett has a strong track record of player development and academic support. He has coached nine All-Conference athletes including two Conference Players of the Year, one Defensive Player of the Year, one Offensive Player of the Year, and one Freshman of the Year and has maintained a 95% graduation rate among seniors. Teams under his leadership have captured both regular season and tournament conference titles.
As a player, Leggett was a force at Meridian High School, where he earned MVP honors in the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Classic. He continued his career at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, where his team went 32–1 and ranked No. 1 in the nation. He averaged 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds per game, posted 14 double-doubles, and earned Second Team All-ACCC and First Team All-District honors. He later signed with Troy University before transferring to Martin Methodist College, where he helped lead the team to a 34–3 season, winning both the regular season and conference tournament titles and reaching the semifinals of the NAIA National Tournament.
Leggett earned his Bachelor of Science degree in University Studies and Health & Human Services from the University of Mississippi in 2021.
Assistant Coach
Arthur Latham, a native of Radcliff, Kentucky, earned both his bachelor's degree (2010) and master's degree (2012) from St. Catharine College, where he played four seasons from 2006 to 2010. He graduated as the program's all-time leader in wins (71), points (1,600), and rebounds (756).
Latham began his coaching career in 2011, joining Head Coach J.T. Burton's staff at St. Catharine. During his tenure, he helped guide the Patriots to multiple NAIA national tournament appearances.
On April 28, 2017, Latham was named the 13th head coach in the history of Motlow State Community College men's basketball. Prior to his appointment, he spent two seasons as an assistant coach under Burton at Motlow, contributing to the most successful back-to-back seasons in program history. He also previously served five years as an assistant at St. Catharine College.
In his first season as head coach, Latham led the Bucks to the TCCAA/Region VII Tournament championship and a berth in the NJCAA national tournament. Over his ten seasons as both an assistant and head coach at Motlow, he has coached six All-Americans, captured three conference regular season titles, and made two national tournament appearances.
In his first season as assistant at Columbia State, Latham helped lead the Chargers to both the conference regular season and conference tournament championships.