Morehead State men’s basketball’s Head Coach resigns to take top job at JMU

MOREHEAD, KY (WTVQ)- Morehead State men’s basketball is searching for a new head coach after Preston Spradlin decided to resign from his position to take on the role as head coach at James Madison University on Friday March 29.

Spradlin leaves one Commonwealth and heads to another after leading the Eagles for seven full seasons.

During that span, the Eagles had four consecutive 20 plus win seasons in a row for the first time in school history. This season, Spradlin’s team won a school-record 26 games on their way to a second Ohio Valley Conference Title and NCAA Tournament appearance in four years.

“Our goal with our next head coach and staff is to maintain that level of excellence in our program and build upon our recent success so that Morehead State men’s basketball remains the premier program in our conference and competes year in and year out for championships,” said MSU Athletic Director Kelly Wells.

Credit- Morehead State Athletics

The former Kentucky men’s basketball staff member of five seasons says that he took the job at JMU because of the great basketball program and the Harrisonburg, Virginia community.

“My family and I are extremely excited for the opportunity to lead the JMU program and take over during a monumental time for the University,” said Spradlin. “We are looking forward to connecting with the many supporters of JMU Athletics and partnering together to compete for future championships!”

The Pikeville, Ky. native is signed on for a six year contract to be the head coach of the Dukes, who have their new top man days after making a NCAA Tournament Second Round appearance.

The former head coach of JMU, Mark Byington, left the program to take the head coaching opening at Vanderbilt days ago.