John Spencer (American football)

John Stewart Spencer (March 4, 1937 – July 10, 2021) was an American college football coach. He was the head football coach for Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Virginia from 1968 to 1984, compiling a record of 56–93–3.

John Spencer
Biographical details
Born(1937-03-04)March 4, 1937
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
DiedJuly 10, 2021(2021-07-10) (aged 84)
Alma materShepherd College
Appalachian State Teachers College
Playing career
Football
1957–1960Shepherd
Position(s)Tackle
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1961–1965Gardner–Webb (assistant)
1966Shepherd (line)
1967Bridgewater (assistant)
1968–1984Bridgewater
1985–2002Bridgewater (LB)
Track and field
1961–1965Gardner–Webb
Head coaching record
Overall56–93–3 (football)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Football
1 ODAC (1980)

Playing career

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Spencer was born in Denver and played high school football at Northwestern Senior High School in Baltimore.[1] He played college football for Shepherd as a tackle.[2]

Coaching career

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Spencer started his career as an assistant coach for Gardner–Webb in 1961.[3] In 1966, he joined his alma mater, Shepherd, as the line coach.[2] In 1967, he became an assistant coach for Bridgewater.[4] The following year, in 1968, Spencer was named head football coach.[5] In seventeen seasons as head coach he finished with an overall record of 56–93–3. His best season came in 1980 when he led his team to a 6–3 record and a Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) title.[6][7] He resigned following the 1984 season.[7][8][9][10] From 1985 until his retirement in 2002 he served as the linebackers coach through four coaching tenures: Joe Bush, Dan Antolik, Max Lowe,[11] and Mike Clark.[12]

Spencer also served as the head track and field coach during his tenure with Gardner–Webb.[13]

Death

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Spencer died on July 10, 2021.[14][15][16]

Head coaching record

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Football

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Bridgewater Eagles (Mason–Dixon Conference) (1968–1973)
1968 Bridgewater 5–3 3–1 2nd
1969 Bridgewater 3–6 2–3 4th
1970 Bridgewater 4–5 2–2 4th
1971 Bridgewater 6–3 3–1 3rd
1972 Bridgewater 4–4–1 0–2–1 6th
1973 Bridgewater 5–4 2–1 T–3rd
Bridgewater Eagles (Mason–Dixon Conference / Virginia College Athletic Association) (1974)
1974 Bridgewater 4–5 1–2 / 1–3 T–5th / 7th
Bridgewater Eagles (Virginia College Athletic Association) (1975)
1975 Bridgewater 2–7 0–4 10th
Bridgewater Eagles (Old Dominion Athletic Conference) (1976–1984)
1976 Bridgewater 1–8 0–4 5th
1977 Bridgewater 3–5–1 0–3–1 5th
1978 Bridgewater 3–6 1–3 T–4th
1979 Bridgewater 4–5 1–3 T–4th
1980 Bridgewater 6–3 4–1 1st
1981 Bridgewater 2–6–1 0–4–1 T–5th
1982 Bridgewater 3–6 2–3 T–4th
1983 Bridgewater 0–9 0–6 7th
1984 Bridgewater 1–8 1–4 T–5th
Bridgewater: 56–93–3
Total: 56–93–3
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ "Bridgewater Names Coach". The Daily News Leader. May 6, 1968. p. 7. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Another Aide". The Daily Mail. September 9, 1966. p. 34. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  3. ^ "3 Buildings Dedicated At G-W College". Hickory Daily Record. November 9, 1965. p. 8. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  4. ^ "Spencer Named Assistant Coach At Bridgewater". The Daily News Leader. May 11, 1967. p. 11. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  5. ^ "Bridgewater Gets New Grid Coach". The Roanoke Times. May 6, 1968. p. 13. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  6. ^ "Bridgewater's Lowe resigns". Richmond Times-Dispatch. November 17, 1994. p. 51. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Bridgewater football coach John Spencer resigns post". Bristol Herald Courier. November 27, 1984. p. 10. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  8. ^ "Bridgewater football coach quits". The Roanoke Times. November 27, 1984. p. 21. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  9. ^ "Bridgewater Grid Coach Resigns". The News-Virginian. November 29, 1984. p. 15. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  10. ^ "New coach is challenged by young Bridgewater team". News and Record. October 17, 1985. p. 57. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  11. ^ Coughlin, Kevin (January 31, 1992). "Bee's assistant named Bridgewater coach". The News and Advance. p. 9. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  12. ^ "Right (from page B5)". The Roanoke Times. October 4, 1996. p. 21. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  13. ^ "G-W College Track Team Opens Season". The Gaffney Ledger. March 26, 1965. p. 8. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  14. ^ Mettlen, Shane (July 12, 2021). "Longtime Coach Spencer Did It All For The Eagles". Daily News-Record. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  15. ^ Eck, T. J. (July 13, 2021). "Former BC football head coach Spencer passes away". WHSV. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  16. ^ "John Stewart Spencer Obituary". johnsonfs.com. July 10, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2024.