John Copeland was an athlete, coach, and finally athletic director at Lubbock Christian, serving the department for many year, both before and after his induction in 1994.
At the conclusion of the 2010-2011 season, which was his 31st with the Chaparrals, John Copeland resigned as the head coach of the Chaps.
In his 31 seasons, Copeland amassed a career record of 469-435 (.517) and was one of the most respected head coaches in the nation.
Between the fall of 1980 and the spring of 1993, Copeland's Chaps competed in NAIA District VIII where Lubbock Christian made eleven post-season appearances. In 1994-1995, Copeland led the Chaps into the SAC where they finished third during the regular season, earning Copeland SAC Coach of the Year honors. Just five years later, he led the Chaps to the SAC title game, where they lost in a close contest before rebounding the following year. In 2000-2001, after moving into the Rip Griffin Center, the Chaps enjoyed one of their most successful seasons - finishing the year 21-10. In addition to earning his 300th victory in a SAC Tournament win over Wayland Baptist University in 2001, Copeland led the Chaps to a win in the SAC Tournament title game, which earned them a trip to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time, and, eventually, a spot in the nation's Elite Eight -- the best finish ever for an LCU men's basketball team.
In 2003-2004, with a strong nucleus of junior college transfers at his disposal, Copeland won his first regular season SAC title, made a second trip to the NAIA National Tournament, and earned his second SAC Coach of the Year award. The Chaps, who finished 20-10, were ranked as high as #4 in the nation the week of January 20, 2004. In 2004-2005, the Chaps enjoyed another banner year as they made a third trip to the NAIA National Tournament and the school's first as an at-large participant.
Earning a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Science from LCU in 1973 after a stellar playing 
career, Copeland returned to LCU in 1978 and demonstrated his versatility working as an assistant coach for the basketball, baseball, and football teams. In 1980, he took over the men's basketball program, and for sixteen years, he served as LCU's Athletic Director, before stepping aside in 2003 to focus on coaching and family. Copeland, who still holds the program's single season (108) and career (288) steals records, also spent the 1983 and 1984 seasons as the LCU volleyball head coach and amassed a 33-20 coaching record.
He has certainly made an impact on the lives of his former players and assistant coaches. His son Jason was his former assistant coach and served as the head coach at Abilene Christian University. He joins Bill McGee (former head coach at Ohio Valley University), Jerry Isler (former women's head coach at UT-Arlington), Jimmy Moore (former LCU women's basketball head coach and athletic director), Tory Bryant (current women's head coach at Wayland Baptist) and LCU women's head coach Steve Gomez as a few of Copeland's products that have advanced to head coaching positions at the collegiate level. Numerous former players and assistants have advanced to area high school coaching positions including current Lubbock Christian High School head coach Brad Crow and former longtime Monterey High School head coach Vic Self. Copeland has also coached a pair of father-son combinations in Jerry & Jaden Isler and Ken & Aaron Stephenson.
John is married to the former Cindy Washburn. They have two children: Jason, who has a daughter, Laney, and a son, Tate. Jonelle and her husband, Matt Sears, reside in Midland with their two children: Connor and Camdyn.
