Charles Chigeru is a relationship-driven basketball coach with over a decade of experience developing student-athletes and contributing to winning programs across the Division I, Junior College, and NAIA levels. Known as a “connector” and mentor, he has built a reputation for fostering meaningful relationships and helping players grow on and off the court.
Chigeru currently serves as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Niagara University under head coach Greg Paulus. He joined the program in August of 2025, following two seasons at East Mississippi Community College, where he played a key role in recruiting, player development, and program operations.
Before EMCC, Chigeru gained more Division I experience at Nicholls State University and the University of South Alabama, where he contributed to a Jaguars team that won 19 games and advanced to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship game.
Chigeru spent five seasons at Coppin State University, where he began his Division I coaching career and rose from Director of Basketball Operations to assistant coach. During his tenure, the Eagles captured a share of the MEAC Northern Division title and advanced to the MEAC Tournament championship game, while developing multiple all-conference performers and professional players.
He began his coaching career at St. Thomas University (FL), helping guide the program to a 20-win season as lead assistant.
A Florida native, Chigeru moved from Nigeria to the United States at a young age and went on to play collegiately at Barry University. As a member of a record-setting team that won 26 games and a Division II South Region championship, he also excelled academically, earning multiple Athletic Director’s Awards and Dean’s List honors.
Chigeru is widely respected for his contagious energy, basketball IQ, and relentless commitment to student-athlete development, bringing a relationship-first approach to every program he serves.
