Glenn Spencer - Football Coach - Florida Atlantic University Athletics

Glenn Spencer

Title:
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

At FAU
Glenn Spencer was named Florida Atlantic University's defensive coordinator in December of 2018. In his first season leading the FAU defense, he heads up a unit that leads the nation in total takeaways (31), turnover margin (+20) and interceptions (21). Those 21 interceptions is a new FAU single-season record, as is Meiko Dotson's nine as an individual, which also leads all of FBS. In national categories, the Owls improved more than 40 spots in 10 categories, including in all of the three mentioned before.

Here are the unit's improvements from last season to the first year under Spencer:
Takeaways - 12 to 31, +19 / 109th to 1st in FBS (+108)
Turnover Margin - +2 to +20, +18 / 112th to 1st (+111)
Interceptions - 11 to 21, +10 / 59th to 1st (+58)
Sacks - 1.92 per game to 2.62, +-0.70 / 84th to 34th (+50)
Rushing defense - 189.0 to 136.7, 52.3 yards less per game / 89th to 39th (+50)
Scoring defense - 31.8 to 22.3, 9.5 points less / 92nd to 33rd (+59)
Total defense - 427.4 to 370.3, 57.1 yards less / 88th to 48th (+40)
Red zone defense - 83.0% to 75.0%, 8.0% better / 67th to 19th (+48)
Passing efficiency defense - 140.35 to 124.22, 16.13 better / 92nd to 40th (+52)
3rd down conversion % - 41.7% to 30.8%, 10.9% better / 91st to 13th (+78)

Spencer specifically heads up a smothering linebacker unit, led by standout performers Akileis Leroy and Rashad Smith. Leroy leads the entire FAU defense with 101 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He has also recorded three interceptions while forcing five fumbles.

Not to be outdone, Smith has 98 tackles, 11.5 for a loss, and 3.6 sacks. He has picked off two passes, and set a program single-season record (while ranking first in the nation) with four fumble recoveries.

Spencer was named interim head coach of the Owls on Dec. 7.

At Charlotte
Prior to FAU. the Georgia native spent one season at Charlotte where he revitalized the defensive unit. The 49ers led Conference USA in rushing defense and was ranked fourth in the FBS with 88.5 rushing yards per game. Additionally, the 49ers ranked third in C-USA and 14th in the FBS in total defense allowing just 306.6 total yards of offense.

Oklahoma State
Prior to Charlotte, Spencer spent 10 years at Oklahoma State University as defensive coordinator, defensive line coach and linebackers coach.

During his 10 years at OSU, Spencer was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator for five seasons. The Cowboys amassed a 96-34 record over those 10 years and won both the 2011 and 2012 Fiesta Bowl games. OSU made additional trips to New Year’s Six bowl games – the Sugar Bowl in 2016 and 2015, as well as the Cotton Bowl in 2014, 2013, 2010 and 2009. The Cowboys enjoyed 10-win seasons in six of Spencer’s last seven years and won six of their last eight bowl games.

Hired as the Cowboys' defensive line coach in 2008, Spencer began coaching the linebackers in 2009. He coached linebackers for the remainder of his time in Stillwater and was named co-defensive coordinator in 2011 before taking on defensive coordinator responsibilities completely in 2013. He will serve as FAU’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

At Duke
Prior to his time at OSU, Spencer was the assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator at Duke University. He coached the defensive backs and linebackers from 2004-06. He also coached at Georgia Tech from 2001-03, and spent three years as head coach at the University of West Georgia Wolves.

West Georgia
Spencer began his coaching career at West Georgia, where he was linebackers coach from 1990-97. He became defensive coordinator in 1997-98 and took over as head coach from 1998-2000. The Wolves went 28-7 with Spencer at the helm, including Gulf South Conference titles in 1998 and 2000. Spencer was named the NCAA Division II Region Coach of the Year in 1998 and advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs in both 1998 and 2000.

As a Collegiate Athlete
A native of Douglasville, Georgia, Spencer graduated from Georgia Tech in 1987 with a degree in management. He was a four-year letterwinner as a defensive tackle from 1982-85.