Kevin Spann was named head coach of the St Joseph’s College (L.I.) men’s basketball team in September of 2014 and led the Golden Eagles to a 17-10 (13-5) record Skyline Conference Championship final appearance in his first season at the helm. During Spann’s tenure, the program has produced five All-Conference selections, two 1,000 point scorers and the institution’s first-ever professional-level player. Known for a face-paced offense and aggressive man-to-man defense, the Golden Eagles have been the conference’s number one three-point shooting team and the league’s best defensive squad in two of the past three seasons.
In addition to on-court successes, Spann is even prouder of the team’s academic performance and its positive community impact. “The program has graduated twelve outstanding young men in the last three years, eleven of which graduated with a GPA 3.0 or higher,” said Spann. “Each of the graduates obtained an amazing basketball experience and a degree, and have pivoted well into the real world with employment in various fields such as finance, insurance and law enforcement. We use basketball as a platform to prepare our athletes for their future and the real world, and I’m extremely proud of our program, my staff and the support we get from the administration.”
Under Spann’s tutelage the program has done its best to get out into the community, an initiative that started during the 2014-15 season when the team did its part in honoring local veterans and supporting the local boy scouts club. In 2015-16, the Golden Eagles visited Stony Brook Children’s Hospital during the Christmas holiday, bringing t-shirts and the laughter to the young patients. This past 2016-17 season, the program raised over $1,200 in support of the Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk held at Jones Beach.
Spann began his collegiate coaching career at Division II's LIU-Post as an assistant under head coach Tim Cluess in 2009 with a team that went 23-6 and made an appearance in the East Coast Conference Championship game. Coach Spann then returned to his high school alma mater St. John the Baptist, where he worked as the assistant coach of the varsity team and the head coach of the junior varsity squads from 2012 to 2014.
As a player, Spann tallied 1,000 points at both the high school and collegiate levels. His career as a collegiate student-athlete began at Division I's St. Peter's College where Spann started at point guard as a freshman for a Peacock Squad that made a MAAC Championship appearance. He later moved on to LIU-Post where he captained 26-4 team and 30-1 teams in his junior and senior years, respectively.
Spann averaged 13.3 points and 4.8 assists, helping the program win two East Coast Conference Championships and an NCAA Division II Regional Championship. Upon graduations, Spann spent two and a half years as a professional player for Harlem Globetrotters International Inc., serving as the captain of the Washington Generals for two international tours before being promoted to the Harlem Globetrotters for a tour.
Spann hails from North Babylon, N.Y, and has a Business Degree from LIU Post University in 2009.
What They're Saying About Coach Spann
"St. Joseph's College is lucky to have Coach Kevin Spann. He is an eager hardworking coach with a high-level basketball IQ and truly knows the game as I've learned by playing with and against him. Coach Spann is a high energy, charismatic coach who the players will love to play for and will be a good fit for them on and off the court." Danny Green, NBA Player, San Antonio Spurs
"St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School is proud of Kevin Spann, who is both an alumni and former coach. Coach Spann did a great job with us and was tremendous with the students as well as his peers. He is extremely professional and we are happy for him." Ralph Dalton, Director of Athletics, St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School
"Hiring Coach Kevin Spann was the best move SJC could have made. He is young, fresh, well-spoken and full of energy and knows the game. He will represent the school well and be great with the players. As a peer, I look forward to seeing Coach Spann on the trail and supporting him with anything he needs." Erik Smiles, Head Men's Basketball Coach, LIU-Post
"Kevin Spann was a terrific player and a better coach. He was an asset on the court and in the locker room. He is a go-getter and a winner. He will be great on the recruiting trail and has an extremely bright future. I am thrilled for Kevin and SJC.' Tim Cluess, Head Basketball Coach, Iona College
