John Andrzejek and the Rise of Campbell Basketball: A Fresh Chapter Begins
When John Andrzejek was announced as the new head coach of Campbell University’s men’s basketball team on March 20, 2025, it didn’t just signify a change in leadership; it marked the start of something potentially transformative. Andrzejek comes to Campbell fresh off a national title run with the Florida Gators, carrying the kind of energy and confidence that makes people believe he can build something big.
For people who follow the game closely, whether it’s die-hard fans, analysts, or even the casual bettor, a young coach with that kind of résumé naturally grabs attention. It’s a little like spotting value on offshore sportsbooks, where flexibility, better odds, and wider betting options can give sharper perspectives than the more restricted markets. In both cases, those willing to notice early signs often find themselves ahead of the curve before mainstream attention catches up.
That’s pretty much where Campbell finds itself right now, right on the edge of becoming a story people will want to follow. On paper, Andrzejek’s move might seem unusual, leaving the spotlight of Gainesville for a quieter spot in Buies Creek. But for him, it didn't feel like a step down. To him, it felt like a chance to build something of his own. A place where he can build a program from the ground up, establish culture, and leave a lasting mark rather than just inherit a winning roster.
Andrzejek’s career path has been anything but ordinary. He’s worked at Columbia, San Francisco, Johns Hopkins, Dartmouth, and Washington State before his stint at Florida. With each stop in his career, he picked up a little more about how to recruit and how to shape a team so players could play to their strengths. Now he arrives at Campbell with championship experience under his belt, ready to test whether those lessons translate when he’s the one holding the clipboard.
Andrzejek calls Campbell “a transformational experience,” and he isn’t just talking about basketball. He’s not just focused on wins and losses. For Andrzejek, it’s not just about the scoreboard. He talks about building players up on the court and off it, and that kind of mindset is what can set a mid-major apart over time. It’s part of why people around Campbell are already buzzing about what he might bring.
The roster he inherits may not feature household names, but there are building blocks. DJ Smith, a transfer point guard from Robert Morris, comes with experience running the floor in big moments. Andrzejek has already compared him to Campbell legend Chris Clemens, which is a compliment and a challenge rolled into one. Around him, there’s a core of returnees Andrzejek describes as humble and hardworking. He doesn’t sugarcoat it; he knows there’s progress to be made, but he believes in what he sees. “We’re going to run our program, stick to what we believe in, and deal with whatever comes from that,” he said. “Because I think the results are going to be pretty good.”
Those results will come down to style as much as substance. Andrzejek wants his team to play up-tempo. He wants his team to push the ball in transition and stay in top shape to keep the pace high. He wants Campbell to be the kind of team opponents dread running with for 40 minutes. “We’ll play two bigs, we’ll play fast. We’re going to push the pace, get up and down the floor,” he said. The idea is to give Campbell a clear identity and make them a team that’s hard to play against in the CAA, where most games tend to grind out in the half-court.
This isn’t a program weighed down by history. Campbell has just one NCAA tournament appearance to its name, way back in 1992. Freedom and motivation are created by this history. Freedom because there’s little pressure to live up to tradition; motivation because the fan base remembers what it felt like to be on the national stage and craves another shot. For Andrzejek, it’s fertile ground to grow something that lasts.
The culture piece might matter most of all. In today’s college basketball, transfers are constant, NIL reshapes rosters, and stability can be hard to find. Andrzejek’s decision to focus on character and connection could be what allows Campbell to build year after year rather than constantly start from scratch. Mid-majors that rise, think Florida Gulf Coast’s “Dunk City” run or Loyola Chicago’s Final Four push, often share that DNA of unity and belief.
So here’s the story as it stands: a young coach with a championship pedigree is betting on himself and a program many overlook. He’s bringing a clear plan with plenty of energy. The style that will make Campbell not just competitive but also exciting to watch. The players seem on board, and fans are already buzzing, but the real question is how fast that enthusiasm turns into wins.
Campbell may not be front-page news just yet, but insiders are paying attention. And like those early lines on various sportsbooks, the sharp ones know value when they see it. Andrzejek’s gamble is that Campbell is the perfect place for his first shot at running a program. If he’s right, the rest of the college basketball world will soon find itself catching up.