Luke Huddleston joins the Columbus State Women's Basketball coaching staff ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, coming from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan. In his first season with the Gorillas, the program reached the NCAA Division II National Tournament for the first time in four years going 23-8 overall and making it to the semifinals of the Central Regional. Four members of the 2022-23 team earned MIAA honors in second-teamer Tristan Gegg, third-teamer Karenna Gerber, honorable mention Grace Pyle and Freshman of the Year, Harper Schreiner. Year two with the Gorillas would see the Gorillas win their first MIAA Tournament champions and a repeat visit to the NCAA Division II National Tournament, going 24-8 overall with first-team All-MIAA selections for Grace Pyle and Karenna Gerber while Harper Schreiner was tabbed honorable mention.
Huddleston came to Pittsburg after serving as an assistant coach at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Ga., during the 2021-22 season. The Panthers posted a 15-10 record and finished third in the west division of the USASouth Conference.
Prior to LC, Huddleston served as a graduate assistant at NCAA Division II member University of West Georgia during the 2020-21 season. Previously, he served as an assistant girls’ basketball coach at Troup County High School in 2019-20. The Tigers finished the regular season with a 22-0 record and made their first Georgia High School Association State Championship appearance.
Huddleston also served as an intern for the women's basketball program at West Georgia during the 2018-19 season. The Wolves posted a 16-12 record that year and advanced to the final four of the Gulf South Conference Postseason Tournament.
The LaGrange, Ga., native graduated from West Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in sports management in 2018 as well as a master’s degree in sports management in 2022.
