Dan Sparks
Indiana’s Winningest Coach | NBA Assistant & Scout | Hoops Hall of Famer
Dan Sparks was born on April 17, 1945, in Bloomington, Indiana. As a 6’8 forward, he started on his basketball team for Bloomington High School. He later played college basketball for Vincennes University where he was the Team MVP, averaging14 points per game and 15 rebounds per game. The Trail Blazers won the 1965 National Championship.
Sparks later was the Team MVP for Weber State’s 1968 NCAA Tournament team. He was selected with the 41st overall pick in the 4th round of the 1968 NBA Draft by the Cincinnati Royals. He notably played 2 seasons for the Miami Floridians of the American Basketball Association (ABA) before transitioning into coaching in 1971.
In 2013, Sparks was inducted into the Monroe County Sports Hall of Fame. In 2015, he was inducted into the Hoops Basketball Hall of Fame.
- Overall Coaching Record: 977-325
- Vincennes: 869-247
- Wabash Valley College: 108-78
Coaching Career
After playing 2 seasons in the American Basketball Association, Sparks transitioned in to coaching with his former colligate team of whom he won the 1965 National Championship with, the Vincennes University Trail Blazers by becoming an assistant coach under Allen “Al” Porter.
Coach Sparks became an assistant coach and scout under Phil Johnson for the Kansas City Kings. In his first season as an assistant, he finished with a 27-31 coaching record. The following season, the Kings finished with a 44–38 record, qualifying for the playoffs. They were eliminated in the semifinals by Dick Motta and the Chicago Bulls in 6 games.
In 1976, the Kings finished with a 40-41 record, missing the playoffs. In the start of the 1977-1978 season, Johnson was fired after a 13-24 start and was replaced by assistant coach Larry Staverman.
Notable Players Coached
- Nate “Tiny” Archibald
- 1981 NBA champion
- 6× NBA All-Star (1973, 1975, 1976, 1980–1982)
- 1981 NBA All-Star Game MVP
- 3× All-NBA First Team (1973, 1975, 1976)
- 2× All-NBA Second Team (1972, 1981)
- 1973 NBA scoring champion
- 1973 NBA assists leader
- 50th & 75th NBA anniversary team
- No. 1 retired by Sacramento Kings
- Scott Wedman
- 2× NBA champion (1984, 1986)
- 2× NBA All-Star (1976, 1980)
- 1980 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- 1975 NBA All-Rookie First Team
- Don Kojis (2× NBA All-Star (1968, 1969)
- Jimmy Walker (2× NBA All-Star (1970, 1972)
- Sam Lacey
- 1975 NBA All-Star
- No. 44 retired by Sacramento Kings
- John Block (1973 NBA All-Star)
- Mike D’Antoni (Future 2× NBA Coach of the Year (2005, 2017)
Coach Sparks returned to the University of Vincennes to become the head coach of the Trail Blazers. In 1986, he was named the 1986 NABC National Coach of the Year.
In 2005, he departed Vincennes and as of 2026, he remains as Indiana’s winningest college coach with 706 wins.
Notable Players Coached
- Shawn Marion
- Future 2011 NBA champion
- Future 4× NBA All-Star (2003, 2005–2007)
- Future 2× All-NBA Third Team (2005, 2006)
- Future 2000 NBA All-Rookie Second Team
- No. 31 retired by Phoenix Suns
- Eric Williams
- Selected with the 14th overall pick in the 1st round of the 1995 NBA Draft by Boston Celtics
- Tyrone Nesby
- Played 3 seasons in the NBA from 1999-2002
- Future 2005 ULEB Cup champion
- Future 2003 Greek League All-Star
- Future 2003 Greek All-Star Game Slam Dunk champion
- Future 1997 First-team All-WAC
- Future 1996 NJCAA All-American
- Carl Landry
- Selected with the 31st overall pick in the 2nd round of the 2007 NBA Draft by Seattle SuperSonics
- Mike Higgins (Played 3 seasons in the NBA: 1989-1990, 1991)
Coach Sparks became an assistant coach for the Northen Colorado Bears men’s basketball team under Craig Rasmuson.
Coach Sparks became the head basketball coach of Wabash Valley College. He would spend 7 seasons with the team before retiring from coaching in 2013.
Coaching Record
- 2006-2007 Season
- Overall: 11-16
- Conf: 7-9
- 2007-2008 Season
- Overall: 18-10
- Conf: 10-6
- 2008-2009 Season
- Overall: 14-13
- Conf: 7-9
- 2009-2010 Season
- Overall: 18-8
- Conf: 13-5
- 2010-2011 Season
- Overall: 20-6
- Conf: 11-5
- 2011-2012 Season
- Overall: 18-8
- Conf: 10-6
- 2012-2013 Season
- Overall: 9-17
- Conf: 7-9