27 years coaching
(Current head volleyball coach at East Ridge High School)
(Head baseball coach at East Ridge for eight seasons)
(Almost every sport offered in the high school ranks of eastern Kentucky)
(Coached at Millard High School under Dillard Taylor (basketball); and Jeff Ford (baseball)
(Head baseball coach at Millard for eight seasons)
(Junior high girls’ basketball coach for four seasons; assisted his wife, Cindy Adkins Spradlin for two seasons)
(Junior high track coach two seasons); (Followed his wife as head girls’ basketball coach and girls’ softball coach for the final two years at Millard)
College: BS in physical education with a minor in health from EKU in 87 and a MA in secondary education from EKU in ’91.
What is your coaching philosophy? “I believe in education first. The vast majority of high school athletes will never become a professional athlete, so they need their education in order to make a living. I am proud of the young men and women my former players have grown up to be.
“Next, make good decisions in life. Everything in our lives is based upon the choices that we make, so make wise choices. I believe in being there for my players and encouraging and teaching them every day. Work hard in practice and in the off-season, if you aren’t getting better, you’re getting worse.
“I only have one son, Brady, so I try to treat my players as my own. Playing time is based upon hard work and production, I believe in playing the best possible players, regardless of class in school or where they come from.
“I have been blessed to have coached so many wonderful young people in my career and I am smart enough to know that players win games, coaches lose them. I have coached a lot of good players.”
What is your favorite music? “Almost anything from the ’80s, the greatest musical generation ever!”
Favorite singer or band? “I have so many. Picking just one is difficult but I love Journey, Def Leppard, AC/DC, Night Ranger, Poison. Love the hair bands.”
Favorite foods? “I love to eat, probably too much, so I can’t pinpoint any one food. I love Italian but won’t pass up a good steak or burger.”
Who is your hero? “This one is easy, my dad, Hubert “Hubie” Spradlin. He taught me about life and making good decisions, to be polite and courteous in everything, and to work hard. He and my mom, Leah Dane Spradlin, also taught me the importance of education and to have fun in my chosen profession.
“Lastly, I would like to thank my wife Cindy and my son Brady for always being there and supporting me. Coaching is a difficult, time consuming profession, on top of teaching, and without them, I could never do what I do.”