Arkansas and James Madison will meet on the hardwood for the first time Monday night, but while the matchup itself is new, the relationship between the two head coaches is anything but unfamiliar. James Madison head coach Preston Spradlin knows Arkansas coach John Calipari well, very well.
Coach Calipari Roots Tied to James Madison Basketball Coach
Before rising through the coaching ranks, Spradlin spent two seasons at Kentucky as a graduate assistant under Calipari before serving three more years as the Wildcats’ director of basketball operations. Those formative years under one of college basketball’s most accomplished coaches helped shape Spradlin’s approach to the game and laid the foundation for his own success.
Now 39 and a native of Pikeville, Kentucky, Spradlin has quickly become one of the rising stars in the coaching profession. He guided Morehead State to one NCAA Tournament appearance and one NIT appearance before taking over at James Madison. In his first season with the Dukes, Spradlin led JMU to a share of the Sun Belt title, further cementing his reputation as one of the nation’s top young coaches on the rise.
"“I would not trade that for anything in the world,” Spradlin told Whole Hog Sports’ Anthony Kristensen. “As a young guy in this business, you’re going to get paid in experience. That’s certainly what I was able to get. … I was always a UK fan, so just the fact I got to be there was unbelievable.”"Preston Spradlin
That mutual respect is clear. Seeing Spradlin earn his opportunity at James Madison is undoubtedly gratifying for Calipari, who has long taken pride in the success of his coaching tree. And while Calipari is likely rooting for Spradlin to win plenty of games, that goodwill probably pauses once the ball goes up Monday night.
Coach Cal vs Former Assistants
History strongly favors Calipari when it comes to facing his former assistants. Over the course of his career, he has gone 21–1 against coaches who once worked under him. The lone loss came in December 2020, when Josh Pastner’s Georgia Tech squad upset Kentucky, one season after the Wildcats had beaten the Yellow Jackets.
Including matchups against Kenny Payne’s Louisville and Tony Barbee’s Auburn, Calipari owns an 8–1 record against his protégés at the high-major level. Against mid-major protégés, Calipari is a perfect 13–0, a streak Spradlin will try to snap Monday night.
Calipari has never shown mercy when facing former assistants. Beating him is difficult under any circumstance, but doing so against the coach who taught you the system, the tendencies, and the competitive edge required to win at the highest level can feel nearly impossible.
While Arkansas and James Madison may seem like unfamiliar opponents, the coaches pacing the sidelines are anything but strangers. On Monday night, that shared history will collide, mentor versus student, adding another compelling layer to a first-time matchup that already carries plenty of intrigue.