James Tyler “J.T.” Burton, who was men’s basketball head coach at Motlow State Community College (Tenn.) from 2015-17, has joined Morehead State’s staff as an assistant coach.
“J.T. was a very important hire for this staff because he’s someone that has sat in the head coaching chair before. He also has that hunger and loyalty that will help make this program successful,” said head coach Preston Spradlin. “He’s been a very successful head coach, he’s won plenty of games, he’s recruited at a high level, and has been involved with a number of players that have moved on to play at great places.”
In two season at Motlow State, Burton led the Bucks to a 55-13 record, highlighted by 30 wins, a Region XII regular season and tournament championship, and an Elite Eight finish in the 2017 NJCAA National Tournament. At the conclusion of the season, he was named Region XII Coach of the Year.
“I couldn’t be more excited about joining Coach Spradlin and his staff at Morehead State. Coach (Spradlin) is a player’s coach and he promotes a family atmosphere,” said Burton.
Burton spent the 2014-15 season as the director of player development at Tennessee.
His season in Knoxville followed a highly successful six-year stint as head coach at St. Catharine in his hometown of Springfield, Ky., where he compiled a 95-80 record.
During his coaching tenure, the school transitioned from a two-year to a four-year institution, playing on the NAIA level and joining the Mid-South Conference.
Burton boasts nearly 20 years of college coaching experience after playing college basketball at St. Catharine.
“He is going to provide that experience for us and there’s a certain excitement for him to be here at the Division I level. He’s someone that brings a lot of energy and wisdom every day, which is a great combination,” added Spradlin.
Following his graduation from Tennessee Wesleyan, he returned to St. Catharine as an assistant coach for one season, followed by one season as an assistant at Marshalltown (Iowa) Community College.
Burton was the head coach of the Washington County High School girls team in Springfield from 2003-07, where his teams averaged 17 wins per season and made a quarterfinal appearance in the 2005 Kentucky girls basketball state tournament.
After spending the 2007-08 season as an assistant men’s coach at St. Catharine, he was promoted to head coach the following year. He was named the Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year in 2011 after the Patriots compiled a 24-10 record and advanced to the NAIA national tournament. The Patriots had three 20-win seasons under Burton and made another national tournament appearance in 2014, when they advanced to the quarterfinals.
Burton received his bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Wesleyan College in 1999 and his master’s degree from Campbellsville University (Ky.) in 2005. He and his wife, Carla, have two daughters, Alexis and Jada.
Story Courtesy: Nick Evans, Morehead State Athletic Media Relations
http://www.msueagles.com/news/2017/4/13/j-t-burton-joins-mens-basketball-coaching-staff.aspx
