Preston Spradlin Exclusive – Part One

Paying the Price

(St. Louis, MO) – Morehead State’s Preston Spradlin could write the book on paying the price to become a Division 1 head basketball coach. He didn’t play at a big time school. He worked coaching clinics for free and spent nights sleeping in his truck, just to find a way into the coaching profession.

After signing a contract extension, Spradlin will begin his third full season (fourth overall) as the Eagle head coach. He comes from humble hard-working roots. His college playing career at Alice Lloyd College didn’t provide him with numerous Division 1 contacts, but it did help teach him the value of paying the price for success.

 

 

After graduation, Spradlin went to great lengths to find his first professional coaching job. His hard work and willingness to literally take on any task brought him to the University of Kentucky. The Pikeville, Kentucky native landed a plumb graduate assistant position with Wildcats’ coach John Calipari.

 

 

During his five years at Kentucky Spradlin had a front row seat to watch one of the truly great college basketball coaches. John Calipari is one of the most successful coaches in college hoops’ history. Spradlin started as a grad assistant and was promoted to Director of Operations.

Spradlin says Calipari is a tireless worker and is passionate about the welfare of his players. He believes Calipari is without peer and that his creativity in building a basketball program is second-to-none. The controversial Calipari is relentless in staying in touch with former players and working toward program success.

Spradlin insists Calipari is an authentic man with the best of intentions.

 

 

Moving to Morehead State

Former Wildcat Sean Woods became Morehead’s head coach in 2012 and hired Spradlin prior to the 2014 season. A successful four-year run came to an abrupt end during the 2016-17 season. Woods’ first four Eagles’ teams went 75-63 and played postseason basketball twice.

Early in the 2016-17 season Woods resigned after allegations of player mistreatment. Spradlin took over as interim head coach and led a senior-laden Eagles to a second place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference’s East Division. The Eagles’ 10-6 league record earned Spradlin his first contract has MSU’s head coach.

After finishing in last place in 2017-18, the Eagles jumped to fifth last season and that performance earned Spradlin a contract extension.

I asked him about the transition from Kentucky to Morehead and what the latest extension means to the program.

 

 

Each coach and each program has its own personality or values. Coach Spradlin shared some of Morehead State’s version of paying the price.

 

 

In Part Two of our exclusive interview we discuss the current Eagle roster and some of the talented recruits that will soon be expected to be paying the price for Morehead State basketball success.

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