Following up on something that HoopDirt.com first mentioned on back on 5/3 (DAILY DIRT). The hiring of Rand Chappell at Johnson County CC has now been made official. Here is the official statement from the school:
Johnson County Community College director of athletics Randy Stange has announced that Rand Chappell has been selected as the head coach of the men’s basketball program, pending board approval. He was hired as JCCC’s ninth men’s basketball coach on May 15, 2020. Chappell replaces NJCAA Hall of Fame coach Mike Jeffers who resigned after 29 seasons leading the Cavaliers.
“I am very honored to be selected as the new basketball coach at JCCC.” Chappell said. “Johnson County is a very unique and special place. The entire campus community, including the athletic department, have a tremendous track record of serving the community and achieving great results. Randy Stange and search committee really impressed me in their thoroughness and presentation during the process. I look forward to working with everyone on campus.”
Chappell has ties to the state of Kansas and the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference having served head coaching stints at Labette Community College (1993-95) and Garden City Community College (2012-13). Overall, Chappell has served 18 years coaching college men’s basketball, compiling a 358-203 record.
“I have coached at all levels of college basketball and have had great memories and joys coaching at the 2-year level.” Chappell said. “We look forward to bringing in talented and motivated young student-athletes to help them grow and achieves success. I believe we can build on the great success coach Jeffers has had at JCCC. Our expectations are to be a championship program.”
Chappell comes to Johnson County after serving the past seven seasons as assistant coach to Jay Spoonhour at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Ill. While at EIU, Chappell coached eight All-Ohio Valley Conference performers, including two first-team and four All-Newcomer team selections, and three NABC All-District selections. He also helped the Panthers to six OVC Tournament appearances in seven seasons. In the 2014-15 campaign, EIU posted an 18-15 record and won the program’s first-ever NCAA Division I postseason game.
Chappell spent five seasons (1988-93) as an assistant coach at Southwest Baptist University under head coach Jerry Kirksey where he helped guide the 1990-91 team to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
Chappell began his head coaching career in 1993 in the state of Kansas at Labette Community College in Parsons, Kan. In two seasons at Labette, Chappell posted a 45-17 record, led the Cardinals to consecutive Independent Tournament Championships and reach the NJCAA Region VI Tournament both seasons.
In 1995 Chappell was hired as head coach of Phillips University in Enid, Okla., and he took over a program that had three straight losing seasons. During his three years at Phillips, he guided the Haymakers to the No. 1 ranking in the final NAIA Division I regular season poll, compiled a 78-22 record, and led the team to two NAIA tournament appearances and a 32-3 mark and Sooner Athletic Conference title in 1998. He was twice named Sooner Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and was named the Basketball Times NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1998.
In 1998 Chappell took over the program at Henderson State University. During his five seasons at Henderson State, he guided his teams to an unprecedented four Gulf South Conference men’s basketball tournament championships, three Gulf South Conference West titles, and led teams to five NCAA tournament appearances. Overall, Chappell compiled a 120-40 record and a 58-14 mark in Gulf South Conference games. He was named the NABC South Region Coach of the Year in 1999. He also coached six All-Americans, two Gulf South Conference Players of the Year, five first-team and eight second-team All-GSC performers.
In 2002-03, Henderson State finished 30-5 overall, tying a school record, and reached the NCAA D-II Tournament South Regional championship game. The Reddies were ranked 15th in the nation in the final NABC/Division II Bulletin Top 25.
Following that season, Chappell took over the University of Central Arkansas program that went 5-20 the previous year. In his first two seasons, he produced a 43-18 record as head coach of the Bears, and the Central Arkansas tied for the league title and made their first ever trip to the NCAA D-II Tournament. They started the 2004 season with 11 straight victories and captured their first ever national ranking. Chappell led the Bears to two straight appearances in the GSC tournament, advancing to the semifinals both years.
In 2006 Central Arkansas began its multi-year transition to Division I and joined the Southland Conference. At the end of his D-II career, Chappell’s overall coaching record was 243-79, which ranked him in the top five on the NCAA D-II list with a .761 winning percentage. He also had the all-time highest winning percentage in Gulf South Conference history with a .750 percentage.
Overall, Chappell coached seven seasons at Central Arkansas, compiling a 104-104 mark. He coached one second-team, one third-team and two honorable mention All-Southland Conference selection, and one first-team and three second-team All-Gulf South Conference performers.
Chappell returned the state of Kansas in 2012-13, serving one year as head coach of Garden City Community College. He led the Broncbusters to a mark of 11-20.
A native of Springfield, Mo., Chappell received both his bachelor’s degree in finance and Master of Business Administration from Missouri State University. He is married to Molly Chappell, and has two daughters, Lauren and Paige.
https://www.jcccathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/releases/20200515epklfg
