Football
- Title:
- Running Backs Coach
- Email:
- mspenc30@kent.edu
Mark Spencer enters his third season at Kent State. ย Spencer joinedย the Golden Flashesย in February of 2015, taking over the role of running backs coach. ย In February of 2016, he added the role of recruiting coordinator.
In 2016, true freshman Justin Rankin rushed for 511 yards and three touchdowns and tacked on 335 receiving yards. ย Will Matthews was named to the Academic All-MAC Team. Following the season, the Flashes' recruiting class included 25 players from 12 different states.ย
During the 2015 season, Spencer helped with the development of redshirt freshman back Raekwon James, who led the team with 963 all-purpose yards. ย Meanwhile, Sam Kukura earned a spot on the Academic All-MAC Team.
Bringing conference experience to the Golden Flashes, Spencer was a member of the Miami University coaching staff from 2011-2013. ย Spending time with wide receivers and running backs, Spencer worked closely with current Kent State offensive coordinator Don Treadwell, who was the RedHawksโ head coach.ย ย
Most recently, Spencer spent the 2014 season working with wide receivers and defensive backs with the Columbus Crusaders, a program of high school students, who are home-schooled or attend a high school without a football team.
Spencer also coached wide receivers at Ohio Dominican University in 2010.
A veteran coach in the state of Ohio, Spencer spent two seasons at Youngstown State, working with running backs in 2008 and tight ends and tackles in 2009.
Also spending time on the defensive side of the ball, Spencer worked as a defensive backs coach at Iowa Wesleyan in 2007.
As a graduate assistant coach at Bluffton, Spencer coached the running backs in 2005 and the defensive line in 2006.
Spencerโs coaching career began as a quality coach for the Cincinnati Bearcats in 2004 under head coach Mark Dantonio.
Spencerโs MAC experience began as a player at Ohio from 1991-94.ย He joined the program as a walk-on tailback and earned letters in 1993 and 1994. As a senior he was awarded a full scholarship.
A native of Columbus, Spencer was a team captain at Thomas Worthington High School in 1989. After graduation he remained with the program as running backs coach in 1990 before joining the Bobcats.
Spencer earned a bachelorโs degree in sports administration from Ohio in 1995 and received a second bachelorโs degree in business administration from Franklin University in 1999. He picked up his masterโs degree in business administration at Bluffton in 2007.
Mark and his wife Toya have a son, Langston.
