University of Lynchburg

John Cranford is a seasoned basketball professional with a strong background in coaching and operations. Cranford joins the Lynchburg coaching staff this season as the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach.

Before arriving in the Hill City, John served as the Assistant Coach and Director of Operations for Men’s Basketball at the University of Central Arkansas, a role he has held since 2021. In this position, he was responsible for coordinating team travel, managing budgets, and organizing student-athlete schedules. He also played a key role in planning recruiting visits and overseeing the hiring of student managers. 

Before this, John was a Graduate Assistant Coach at the University of Central Arkansas from 2019 to 2021. He managed team and recruitment travel, designed and procured athletic gear, and was in charge of filming practices and distributing game footage. 

John began his career at Liberty University as a Student Manager for the Men’s Basketball team from 2016 to 2019. While earning his Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, he assisted with equipment management, practice setup, and on-court skill development. He also supported the Director of Operations with travel and office tasks, gaining valuable insights into the day-to-day functions of a basketball program.