Skip to content Skip to footer

Rand Chappell named KBCA Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year

A basketball coach on the sidelines raises one hand with five fingers extended while calling out instructions during a game. The coach wears a light gray long-sleeve pullover with a “JC” logo and stands in front of a team bench. Behind the coach, players in white uniforms with “Johnson County” and the number 13 visible react and gesture, while others in navy warmups sit and watch. Blue bleachers fill the background of the indoor gymnasium.
Posted: May 13, 2026

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Johnson County Community College head men's basketball coach Rand Chappell has been named the 2026 Kansas Basketball Coaches Association (KBCA) Men's Basketball Coach of the Year, earning the honor for the first time.

Chappell guided the Cavaliers to a historic 2025–26 campaign, highlighted by the program's first undefeated regular season at 29–0. Johnson County finished 31–3 overall, tying the school record for wins, and captured the KJCCC Division II championship. The Cavaliers advanced to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament, earning an at-large berth and finishing eighth in the nation.

Individually, sophomore forward Tavian Cruse headlined a decorated group, earning All-Region 6 and All-KJCCC Division II first-team honors, conference MVP, NJCAA Division II All-Tournament recognition, and NJCAA Division II First-Team All-America status. Gavin Harvey, Aidan Wing, Trey Fulcher and Joey Robinson also received All-Region 6 and All-KJCCC honors, while Wing was named the conference Newcomer of the Year. Chappell was selected KJCCC Division II Coach of the Year for the third time in six seasons.

In his six years at JCCC, Chappell has compiled a 163–34 record (.827), the most wins by any coach in program history over their first six seasons. His teams have posted six consecutive winning seasons, five straight 20-win campaigns, and back-to-back 31-win seasons.

Under Chappell's leadership, the Cavaliers have made five NJCAA Division II National Tournament appearances (2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026), won three Region VI/Plains District titles (2021, 2023, 2024), and claimed four KJCCC Division II championships, including three outright. JCCC has also appeared in 78 of the last 90 NJCAA national polls (87 percent), highlighted by an active streak of 44 consecutive rankings dating back to March 6, 2023. That stretch includes 53 top-10 rankings and 31 top-five appearances.

Player development has been a cornerstone of Chappell's program. He has coached six NJCAA All-Americans, 21 All-Region 6 selections, and 21 All-KJCCC honorees. His players have earned multiple conference awards, including MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and Freshman of the Year distinctions. Additionally, one Cavalier has reached the 1,000-point milestone, and 16 players have advanced to four-year programs. In the classroom, JCCC student-athletes have earned five College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® honors and nine NJCAA All-Academic selections.

For his career at the NJCAA level, Chappell holds a 219–71 record (.755), and he owns a 521–237 (.687) mark across 24 years as a collegiate head coach. Prior to JCCC, he led programs at Labette Community College, Phillips University, Henderson State University, the University of Central Arkansas, and Garden City Community College. His résumé includes national rankings at the NAIA and NCAA Division II levels, 11 conference and tournament championships, multiple Coach of the Year awards, and more than 500 career wins.

Chappell also spent seven seasons as an assistant coach at Eastern Illinois University, where he helped guide the Panthers to six Ohio Valley Conference Tournament appearances.