Lindsey Wilson University

Chris Starks will embark on his fifth season as the head coach of the Lindsey Wilson men’s basketball team in 2025-26.

He previously served as an assistant coach for the program for 18 seasons, helping the team to three Mid-South Conference regular-season championships, four tournament titles, and three seasons of 30-plus wins.

As a head coach, Starks has compiled 58 career wins, which actively ranks third all-time in program history. He’s mentored four All-Mid-South Conference honorees, an all-conference honorable mention, the 2023-24 Freshman of the Year, 46 total academic all-conference selections, and 24 NAIA Scholar-Athletes.

The 2024-25 season saw Starks and the Blue Raiders clinch their second consecutive winning season. Lindsey Wilson also won its most games under Starks’ leadership, finishing with a 16-13 overall record.

The 2022-23 season, the Blue Raiders won their first playoff game since 2018.

While acting as an assistant coach, Starks helped the Blue Raiders reach the program’s first NAIA National Tournament Semifinal in 2013 and a No. 3 national ranking in the final NAIA Men’s Basketball Division I Coaches’ Poll that same year.

In all, Starks helped guide the Blue Raiders to eight NAIA National Tournaments and the program’s only No. 1 national ranking during the 2003-04 season.

In addition to his coaching duties, Starks serves as the program’s recruiting coordinator and video coordinator. He also plays a significant role in scouting, academic monitoring, and all day-to-day activities of the program.

Prior to Lindsey Wilson, Starks served as an assistant coach at Cumberland (Tenn.), Middle Tennessee State, and Hutchinson Community College (Kan.).

Starks entered the coaching ranks after an outstanding basketball career at McPherson (Kan.), where he was a unanimous selection to the all-district and all-conference teams during his senior season.

Starks and his wife, Tori, have two children, Savannah and Brice.

 

Collegiate Coaching Career
1992-93: Hutchinson Community College (Kan.) - Assistant Coach

1993-96: Middle Tennessee State University - Assistant Coach

1997-02: Cumberland University (Tenn.) - Assistant Coach

2002-20: Lindsey Wilson University - Assistant Coach

2020-present: Lindsey Wilson University - Head Coach
 

Contact Information

Office: Rice House (Athletics Offices)

Phone: 270-384-8513

Fax: 270-384-8078

Mail: 210 Lindsey Wilson Street, Columbia, KY 42728

Email: starksc@lindsey.edu