Aurora University
Spartan Men's Basketball

Coaching Staff

James Lancaster
Head Coach
14th Season (240-102)
630-844-5144
jlancast@aurora.edu

James Lancaster is beginning his 14th season as the Head Coach of the Aurora University men's basketball program. Prior to becoming the men's coach, Lancaster coached AU's women's program for four seasons.

During his tenure as the men's head coach, Lancaster has amassed a composite record of 240-102 (.702), which is the most wins in AU men's basketball history and the highest winning percentage of any Men's Basketball Coach at AU. Currently, Lancaster is 27th in wins among the NCAA Men's Basketball active coaches and 31st in wins all-time. His Spartans won back-to-back titles in the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference twice 1996-1997 and 1998-1999 and again in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. He also led the men's program to their first ever NCAA Division III playoff appearance in 1998 and his team once again repeated that performance in 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2007. In 2005, AU hosted their first NCAA men's basketball tournament game. Lancaster was named NIIC "Coach of the Year" a total of five times, back-to-back twice in 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 and 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. In his first season as AU's men's head coach in 1994-95, he was tabbed as the NIIC's "Coach of the Year." That gave him the unusual distinction of winning that award back-to-back as women's coach in (1993-1994) and as a men's coach.

In 2006-2007, the Spartan's first year in their new conference, the NAC, Lancaster led the team to a 16-2 conference record giving them the NAC conference championship. Lancaster was also named NAC "Coach of the Year".

In addition to success in terms of won-lost records, Lancaster has built the Aurora program into one recognized for being competitive with an annually strong schedule, boasting top-flight opponents. One of the biggest highlights for the men's basketball team was a first round victory at Trinity (TX) University in the 2002 NCAA Tournament. AU dominated the former Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference under Lancaster, going 103-34 in the past 12 years, for a .752 winning percentage.

A 1986 graduate of Aurora University (with a bachelor's degree in physical education), Lancaster was an assistant coach for the AU men's team from 1986-90. Lancaster played two seasons for Aurora (1984-86). As a senior, he was named All Northern Illinois Intercollegiate Conference and AU's male "Athlete of the Year." Lancaster was also the Spartans' "MVP." Lancaster went on to earn his Master's Degree from Chicago State University in 1999.

Prior to attending Aurora, Lancaster attended Wabash Community College, where he played for one of the nation's top junior college programs. While at WCC, Lancaster was teammates with former NBA star Kenny Norman. Lancaster also enjoyed a stand-out prep career at Taylorville High School.

As head coach of AU's women's program, Lancaster was a composite 58-42, including a 32-8 record in the NIIC. During this time his teams had a pair of second-place finishes (1991 & 1992), and won back-to-back NIIC titles in 1993 and 1994. The 1993-94 team qualified for the NCAA post-season playoffs for the first time in the school's history. In 1997-98 they made the NCAA Tournament.

Lancaster and his wife, Michele, have four daughters, Baylee, Kelsey, Jenna and Delaney. They reside in Sugar Grove. In addition to his duties as men's basketball coach, Lancaster is also the Director of Freshman Recruitment. ames Lancaster is beginning his 13th season as the Head Coach of the Aurora University men's basketball program. Prior to becoming the men's coach, Lancaster coached AU's women's program for four seasons.

Jabari Harrell
Assistant Coach
Sixth Season
630-844-383
jharrell@aurora.edu

Jabari Harrell joined the AU men's basketball coaching staff beginning with the 2002-03 season. As a player, Jabari played three years on the Spartan's men's basketball team. He was the team captian of the varsity basketball team from 1997 to 2001. He was named NIIC All-Conference as a sophomore, junior and senior. Jabari was also the Co-Conference Player-of-the-Year in his senior season. In 1998, he was a part of the first-ever NCAA Division III playoff team, and returned to the playoffs with the Spartans in 2001. Jabari is the all-time assist leader at Aurora University.

Harrell is a 2002 graduate of Aurora University and earned his degree in recreation administration. He currently is the assistant director of student activities and intramural coordinator.