Coaches

Last season, kicker Jay Feely had his third consecutive 100-point season (107) and totaled 25 points (TD, 5 FGs, 4 PATs) in the week 14 game against Denver, the second highest point total by a kicker in NFL history (Rob Bironas-26). Kick returner LaRod Stephens-Howling returned two kickoffs for touchdowns (102, 96 yards) and led the NFL with 1,542 KOR yards while his 27.2 yard average was the fourth best in the league.

 

In 2009, punter Ben Graham tied the NFL record with 42 punts inside the 20-yard line and kicker Neil Rackers made an NFL best 94.7 percent of his field goal attempts. Graham and special teams captain Sean Morey were both named Pro Bowl first alternates and rookie Stephens-Howling led the team with 23 special teams tackles in addition to returning a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown.

 

In 2008, Morey was selected to his first Pro Bowl after leading the unit with 22 tackles. One of the Cardinals more memorable highlights of the 2008 season came via Morey as he blocked a Mat McBriar punt in overtime against the Dallas Cowboys which was returned three yards by Monty Beisel for the victory. Rackers completed his franchise record fourth consecutive season of over 100 points as he collected 119 for the season which was good for second in team history behind only his 140 he had in 2005.

 

In 2005, Spencer guided the Steelers special teams to one of the best units in the NFL. Pittsburgh posted two punt returns for touchdowns in 2005, marking the second time the team accomplished the feat over the course of his five-year tenure with the Steelers. The unit also ranked as one of the best in net punting average, allowing a 34.5 average for 4^th in the AFC.

 

Steelers punt returner Antwaan Randle El set a team record with four punt returns for touchdowns during his time with the Steelers (2002-05) while kicker Jeff Reed’s 80.0% (112 of 140) career field goal percentage under Spencer was good for second in team history (Norm Johnson, 82.7%). Reed kicked five game winning field goals during his time with Spencer.

  

Prior to joining the Steelers in 2002, Spencer spent four seasons in the same capacity with the Indianapolis Colts (1998-2001). While at Indianapolis, Spencer worked with Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt, regarded as one of the premiere kickers in the NFL. In 2001, Vanderjagt ranked 1st in the AFC in scoring (125 points) and 2^nd in the NFL (127, Jeff Wilkins, St. Louis). During the 2000 season, Vanderjagt connected on 25-of-27 field goals to rank 2^nd in the AFC in scoring and tied for 5^th in the NFL with 121 points. Under Spencer’s guidance, Vanderjagt was the first player in Colts history to post four straight 100+ point seasons.

 

Spencer also served three seasons with the Oakland Raiders as the special teams and quality control coach (1995), assistant linebackers coach (1996) and a defensive assistant (1997). He started his NFL coaching career in 1991 as a coaching assistant with the Cleveland Browns.

 

The Queens, NY native began his coaching career in 1975 as a graduate assistant at the State University of New York where he coached wrestling and lacrosse. He coached at Detroit Country Day High School (1976-79) in Birmingham, MI, before becoming a graduate assistant at Cornell (1979-80). Spencer then coached for one season at the Gilman School (Baltimore, MD) before holding positions as the head freshman coach (1981-85) and offensive coordinator (1986) at Ithaca College. He served five years (1987-91) as the head coach at Wesleyan (CT) University where he compiled a 14-26 overall record, including a 6-2 mark in 1990. While at Wesleyan, Spencer coached former Cleveland Browns and New York Jets head coach Eric Mangini for two seasons (1989-90).

 

As a collegian, Spencer played football and lacrosse at Springfield (MA) College from 1972-75 and earned a master’s degree from SUNY-Cortland in 1976.

  

Spencer and his wife, Rosemarie, have two sons: Timothy and Jack.