John Spruance joined the USI men's basketball coaching staff in 2020-21. He assists Head Coach Stan Gouard in all facets of the program.
USI pushed its way to double-digits wins with a 10-20 overall record, that included victories over former GLVC-rival Bellarmine University and in-state foe Indiana State University. The squad was 5-15 in the Ohio Valley Conference with USI posting a Senior Day win over conference tournament winner SIU Edwardsville.
The Screaming Eagles achieved a second-straight appearance in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament during 2023-24 and USI's second year in the NCAA Division I. USI ended the second year record of 8-24 overall in a schedule that included visits to Duke University and Michigan State University.
The 2022-23 season saw Spruance assist in USI's move to the NCAA Division I, including a winning record during the regular season, an appearance in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, and an invitation to the College Basketball Invitational. USI concluded the first year of NCAA I action with a 16-17 overall mark and a 9-9 record in the conference.
During the 2021-22 season, Spruance helped direct the Screaming Eagles to an 18-8 overall record and a 12-6 mark in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. USI was second in the GLVC East Division before finishing the campaign in the quarterfinals of the league tournament.
During his first season at USI, Spruance helped Gouard navigate the unusual COVID-19 2020-21 schedule. The Eagles would conclude the year with a 12-5 season and an appearance in the NCAA II Midwest Regional that was hosted at the Ford Center. USI would have been the third seed in the GLVC Tournament after producing an 11-4 league mark, but was forced to withdraw due to COVID.
Spruance spent the last two seasons with Gouard at the University of Indianapolis, helping to produce a 43-16 overall record and climb to the top of the NCAA Midwest Region in 2019-20. He spent five seasons with Lewis University as an assistant coach prior to joining the UIndy staff.
In his five years with the Flyers (2013-18), Spruance helped guide Lewis to an 101-51 record, four GLVC tournaments, two NCAA Tournaments, and back-to-back appearances in the GLVC Tournament championship game, including the 2016 GLVC Tournament title.
Prior to his arrival at Lewis, the Chicago, Illinois, native, spent one season at the University of Hawaii (2010-11) and Holland High School in Holland Michigan (2009-10) as an assistant coach. He also coached for the West Michigan Lakers AAU program during his time in Michigan.
Spruance received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Hope College in 2010 where he played basketball from 2006-08. He later earned his master’s degree in recreation and sport sciences with a concentration in coaching education in 2016.
Updated 4/9/2024
