Football
Glenn Spencer
- Title:
- Linebackers
- Email:
- spencerg@wfu.edu
Glenn Spencer, who was hired in Feb. 2022 and is a veteran defensive coach with a wealth of experience, is set to enter his third season on the Wake Forest football staff as the Demon Deacons linebackers coach in 2024.
Defensively, Wake Forest took a major step forward in 2023 in the second season of Lambert’s scheme and the great play at the second level from Spencer’s linebacker group.
Through the regular season, the Demon Deacons have been one of the best defenses in the country, receiving an overall grade of 84.8 from PFF which ranks 45th nationally. Additionally, PFF has the Deacs ranked in the top-50 in run defense (82.4).
Wake Forest has been one of the best teams in the country in redzone defense as the Deacs are tied for 22nd nationally with just 76.9 percent of opponent redzone trips resulting in a score. Additionally just 20 of the 39 opponent red zone tries (51.3 pct.) ended in a touchdown.
The Wake Forest defense made a staple of getting off the field early in drives with 43 3-and-outs. Overall for the season, Wake Forest has forced its opponents into three-and-outs on 28.5 percent of opponents drives (43-of-142).
Over the course of his first season back in Winston-Salem, Spencer helped defensive coordinator Brad Lambert to lead a Deacs defense that forced 16 turnovers (seven interceptions, nine fumbles) as Wake Forest won eight games for just the 10th time in the 115-year history of the program. Additionally, the Demon Deacons downed Missouri in the 2022 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl, which marked the 11th bowl victory in program history.
With that aforementioned win over the Tigers and a victory in Week 2 at Vanderbilt where the Wake Forest defense was able to force three turnovers, the Deacs defeated two programs from the Southeastern Conference last fall for the first time since 2008, and just the second time in program history the Deacs accomplished this feat in a single season.
As a team, Spencer and Lambert’s defense continued a stretch of 30-plus sacks and 85-plus tackles-for-loss as a unit for the third time in the last four seasons (2020).
Individually, Lambert tutored senior linebacker Ryan Smenda, Jr. to All-ACC honorable mention honors as he tallied the 19th most tackles in the country (117). The Orange Park, Fla. native totaled the most single season tackles by a Demon Deacon since 2006 and his triple-digit total moved him up into ninth on the program’s all-time list with 355 career tackles. That tally is the most by any Demon Deacon since 2000.
Spencer comes to Winston-Salem with over three decades of college coaching experience and spent the past two seasons as the defensive coordinator coach at USF. Additionally, he coached the linebackers in 2020 with the Bulls and safeties in 2021.
Prior to his time in Tampa, Spencer spent the 2019 campaign at FAU as its defensive coordinator where he led the Owls defense to improve more than 40 spots in the national rankings in 10 defensive categories while FAU posted an 11-3 record and won the Conference USA championship.
Following Lane Kiffin’s departure to be the head coach at Ole Miss, Spencer served as interim head coach for FAU’s 52-28 Boca Raton Bowl victory over SMU, a game in which the defense gained two turnovers and returned a fumble for a touchdown. The Owls held SMU to 14 points through three quarters as FAU built a dominating 45-14 lead after scoring 33 straight points.
Before his one-year stint at FAU, Spencer spent eight seasons as a defensive coordinator at two different schools, leading the defense at Charlotte under the direction of Brad Lambert for one season (2018) and the Oklahoma State defense for seven (2011-17).
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.
Prior to his time at OSU, Spencer served as assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator at Duke University (2004-06) for three seasons, where he coached the defensive backs and linebackers. He also coached at Georgia Tech (2001-03), and spent three years as head coach of the University of West Georgia Wolves (1998-2000).
Spencer began his coaching career at West Georgia, where he began as linebackers coach (1990-97) before becoming defensive coordinator (1997-98) for two seasons and then taking over as head coach for three seasons from 1998-2000. The Wolves went 28-7 with Spencer at the helm, including winning Gulf South Conference titles in 1998 and 2000. Spencer was named the NCAA Division II Region Coach of the Year in 1998 and led West Georgia to the NCAA Division II Playoffs in both 1998 and 2000. He was inducted into the West Georgia Hall of Fame in 2017.
A native of Douglasville, Ga., Spencer graduated from Georgia Tech in 1987 with a degree in management. He was a four-year letterman as a defensive tackle for the Yellow Jackets from 1982-85.
He has two sons, Luke and Abraham, and is married to recently retired ESPN college football and basketball reporter Jeannine Edwards.
Wake Forest (2022-present)
Coaching History
NFL Players (Round Drafted)
Defensively, Wake Forest took a major step forward in 2023 in the second season of Lambert’s scheme and the great play at the second level from Spencer’s linebacker group.
Through the regular season, the Demon Deacons have been one of the best defenses in the country, receiving an overall grade of 84.8 from PFF which ranks 45th nationally. Additionally, PFF has the Deacs ranked in the top-50 in run defense (82.4).
Wake Forest has been one of the best teams in the country in redzone defense as the Deacs are tied for 22nd nationally with just 76.9 percent of opponent redzone trips resulting in a score. Additionally just 20 of the 39 opponent red zone tries (51.3 pct.) ended in a touchdown.
The Wake Forest defense made a staple of getting off the field early in drives with 43 3-and-outs. Overall for the season, Wake Forest has forced its opponents into three-and-outs on 28.5 percent of opponents drives (43-of-142).
Over the course of his first season back in Winston-Salem, Spencer helped defensive coordinator Brad Lambert to lead a Deacs defense that forced 16 turnovers (seven interceptions, nine fumbles) as Wake Forest won eight games for just the 10th time in the 115-year history of the program. Additionally, the Demon Deacons downed Missouri in the 2022 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl, which marked the 11th bowl victory in program history.
With that aforementioned win over the Tigers and a victory in Week 2 at Vanderbilt where the Wake Forest defense was able to force three turnovers, the Deacs defeated two programs from the Southeastern Conference last fall for the first time since 2008, and just the second time in program history the Deacs accomplished this feat in a single season.
As a team, Spencer and Lambert’s defense continued a stretch of 30-plus sacks and 85-plus tackles-for-loss as a unit for the third time in the last four seasons (2020).
Individually, Lambert tutored senior linebacker Ryan Smenda, Jr. to All-ACC honorable mention honors as he tallied the 19th most tackles in the country (117). The Orange Park, Fla. native totaled the most single season tackles by a Demon Deacon since 2006 and his triple-digit total moved him up into ninth on the program’s all-time list with 355 career tackles. That tally is the most by any Demon Deacon since 2000.
Spencer comes to Winston-Salem with over three decades of college coaching experience and spent the past two seasons as the defensive coordinator coach at USF. Additionally, he coached the linebackers in 2020 with the Bulls and safeties in 2021.
Prior to his time in Tampa, Spencer spent the 2019 campaign at FAU as its defensive coordinator where he led the Owls defense to improve more than 40 spots in the national rankings in 10 defensive categories while FAU posted an 11-3 record and won the Conference USA championship.
Following Lane Kiffin’s departure to be the head coach at Ole Miss, Spencer served as interim head coach for FAU’s 52-28 Boca Raton Bowl victory over SMU, a game in which the defense gained two turnovers and returned a fumble for a touchdown. The Owls held SMU to 14 points through three quarters as FAU built a dominating 45-14 lead after scoring 33 straight points.
Before his one-year stint at FAU, Spencer spent eight seasons as a defensive coordinator at two different schools, leading the defense at Charlotte under the direction of Brad Lambert for one season (2018) and the Oklahoma State defense for seven (2011-17).
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.
Prior to his time at OSU, Spencer served as assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator at Duke University (2004-06) for three seasons, where he coached the defensive backs and linebackers. He also coached at Georgia Tech (2001-03), and spent three years as head coach of the University of West Georgia Wolves (1998-2000).
Spencer began his coaching career at West Georgia, where he began as linebackers coach (1990-97) before becoming defensive coordinator (1997-98) for two seasons and then taking over as head coach for three seasons from 1998-2000. The Wolves went 28-7 with Spencer at the helm, including winning Gulf South Conference titles in 1998 and 2000. Spencer was named the NCAA Division II Region Coach of the Year in 1998 and led West Georgia to the NCAA Division II Playoffs in both 1998 and 2000. He was inducted into the West Georgia Hall of Fame in 2017.
A native of Douglasville, Ga., Spencer graduated from Georgia Tech in 1987 with a degree in management. He was a four-year letterman as a defensive tackle for the Yellow Jackets from 1982-85.
He has two sons, Luke and Abraham, and is married to recently retired ESPN college football and basketball reporter Jeannine Edwards.
Wake Forest (2022-present)
- Defensively, Wake Forest took a major step forward in 2023 in the second season of Lambert’s scheme and the great play at the second level from Spencer’s linebacker group.
- Through the regular season, the Demon Deacons have been one of the best defenses in the country, receiving an overall grade of 84.8 from PFF which ranks 45th nationally. Additionally, PFF has the Deacs ranked in the top-50 in run defense (82.4).
- Wake Forest has been one of the best teams in the country in redzone defense as the Deacs are tied for 22nd nationally with just 76.9 percent of opponent redzone trips resulting in a score. Additionally just 20 of the 39 opponent red zone tries (51.3 pct.) ended in a touchdown.
- The Wake Forest defense made a staple of getting off the field early in drives with 43 3-and-outs. Overall for the season, Wake Forest has forced its opponents into three-and-outs on 28.5 percent of opponents drives (43-of-142).
- The combination of Dylan Hazen and Jacob Roberts was elite during the 2023 season, finishing ninth and 13th in the ACC respectively in total tackles.
- Hazen had a breakout season as a sophomore, leading the team with 86.0 tackles while also having 8.5 tackles for loss.
- Roberts finished second on the team with 83.0 tackles, second on the team with 10.0 tackles for loss and second on the team with 6.0 sacks.
- His sack total also ranked 10th among all ACC defensive players.
- After an impressive performance against Old Dominion in week three that included a team-high 13 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and the game-changing fourth quarter forced fumble, Roberts was Walter Camp National FBS Players of Week for Sept. 17.
- He became the first Demon Deacon defender since Nick Andersen on Oct. 25, 2020 to be named the Walter Camp National FBS Players of Week.
- Wake Forest football’s mantra for the 2022 season was “MINDSET” as the Demon Deacons looked to follow up its historic year in 2021.
- The Deacs won eight games in a season for just the 10th time in the 115-year history of the program.
- With the win over Missouri on Friday and a victory in Week 2 at Vanderbilt, Wake Forest defeated two programs from the Southeastern Conference this fall for the first time since 2008, and just the second time in program history the Deacs accomplished this feat in a single season.
- The 2022 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl marked Wake Forest’s seventh-straight bowl appearance, a new school record.
- Additionally, the Demon Deacons’ streak is the second-longest active streak in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the 12th longest in the nation.
- A 6-1 start to the 2022 season, including three-straight home sellout crowds inside Allegacy Stadium and a top-10 ranking, highlighted Wake Forest’s season this past fall.
- Spencer helped defensive coordinator Brad Lambert coordinate a Deacs defense that forced 16 turnovers (seven interceptions, nine fumbles) and continued a stretch of 30-plus sacks and 85-plus tackles-for-loss as a unit for the third time in the last four seasons (2020).
- Individually, he tutored Ryan Smenda, Jr. to All-ACC honorable mention honors. He finished in the top-20 in the country in tackles in 2022 and totaled the most single season tackles by a Demon Deacon since 2006 as he tallied 117 stops. That total moved him up into ninth on the all-time list with 355 career tackles and gave the Orange Park, Fla. native sole possession of the most tackles by a Demon Deacon since 2000.
- Spencer coached two Wake Forest captains in 2022 and the Demon Deacons top-two leading tacklers. In addition to Smenda in that category, Chase Jones recorded 74 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, two sacks and one interception.
- Over the course of his two years in Tampa leading the USF defense, the Bulls forced 30 turnovers.
- USF has 10 interceptions each season ranking sixth in 2021 and third in 2020 with that total among American Athletic Conference teams, respectively.
- Statistically, USF improved its numbers from 2020 to 2021 in scoring defense, rushing defense, sacks, tackles for loss, passes defended, third down conversion percentage allowed, fourth down conversion percentage allowed, and touchdown percentage allowed in the red zone.
- In his first year in 2020, Spencer helped the Bulls finish fifth in the AAC in passing yards allowed per game at 229.1 ypg.
- Tutored LB Antonio Grier to back-to-back Second Team All-AAC honors.
- Spencer took over the FAU defense and linebacker coaching duties under head coach Lane Kiffin for the 2019 season and guided the Owls unit to leading the nation in total takeaways (33), interceptions (22) and turnover margin (+21).
- The Owls made major improvements on defense, improving more than 40 spots in 10 defensive national rankings, including total defense (88th allowing 427.4 ypg to 48th allowing 370.3 ypg), scoring defense (92nd allowing 31.8 ppg, to 33rd allowing 22.3 ppg) and rushing defense (89th allowing 189.0 ypg to 39th allowing 136.7 ypg).
- The Owls allowed only 30.8 percent conversions on third down in 2019, going from 91st in the nation to 13th.
- Spencer guided linebackers Rashad Smith and Akileis Leroy at FAU.
- Smith led the Owls with 109 tackles and added 11.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks while intercepting three passes and setting a program record with five fumble recoveries (which led the nation).
- Leroy led the Owls defense with 15.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks and added 101 tackles, three interceptions and five forced fumbles.
- Following Lane Kiffin’s departure for Ole Miss, Spencer served as interim head coach for FAU’s 52-28 Boca Raton Bowl victory over SMU, a game in which the defense gained two turnovers and returned a fumble for a touchdown. The Owls held SMU to 14 points through three quarters as FAU built a dominating 45-14 lead after scoring 33 straight points, including the scoop-and-score and a touchdown following an interception returned to the SMU 13.
- Spent one season at Charlotte where he helped revitalize 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.
- In his lone season at UNC Charlotte, the 49ers won the most Conference USA games in school history with a 4-4 mark in league play. Overall, Charlotte finished the season 5-7 and eight players garnered All-Conference USA honors. Redshirt junior defensive end Alex Highsmith became the second player in school history to garner First Team accolades. Additionally, four rookies were selected to the league’s All-Freshman team.
- Spencer served as the Cowboys’ Defensive Coordinator for the last five of his 10 seasons at Oklahoma State.
- The Cowboys amassed a 96-34 record over those 10 years, won the 2011-12 Fiesta Bowl and made additional trips to New Year’s Six Bowl Games in 2015-16 (Sugar Bowl), 2013-14 (Cotton Bowl) and 2009-10 (Cotton Bowl). The Cowboys enjoyed 10-win seasons in six of his 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, was named co-Defensive Coordinator in 2011 and took over the DC spot completely in 2013.
- In Big 12 play in his final season in Stillwater in 2017, the Cowboys ranked fourth in total defense, third in pass efficiency defense, fourth in rushing defense and third in opponents’ third-down conversions. OSU led the Big 12 in interceptions and ranked third in sacks. Additionally, OSU led the Big 12 in interceptions.
- In 2016, the Cowboys were ranked 11th in the final national polls with Top 25 wins over Texas, West Virginia and Colorado.
- Spencer’s 2015 Cowboy defense was among the most disruptive in America, ranking in the top 10 nationally in turnovers gained, defensive touchdowns and quarterback sacks and also ranking among the top 20 nationally in tackles for loss, passes intercepted and fumbles recovered.
- Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah was a first-team All-American and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2015, just one year after earning Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year honors in 2014.
- In his first year as Defensive Coordinator in 2013, he was a nominee for the Broyles Award given to the nation’s top assistant. That season, the Cowboys ranked in the Top 25 nationally in scoring defense (19th) turnovers gained (5th) interceptions (3rd), red-zone defense (7th), pass efficiency defense (6th), tackles for loss (16th) and opponents’ third-down conversion (7th).
- Cornerback Justin Gilbert was an All-American and 2013 finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award given to the nation’s top defensive back. He was joined by defensive tackle Calvin Barnett and linebacker Caleb Lavey on the 2013 first-team All-Big 12 squad as chosen by the Associated Press. Linebacker Shaun Lewis was a first-team All-Big 12 honoree as selected by the Big 12 coaches.
- From 2010-2017, the Cowboys ranked second nationally in turnovers forced with 224 and OSU ranked in the nation’s top 10 in turnovers forced in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015.
- Under Spencer’s guidance, middle linebacker Orie Lemon exploded onto the national stage in 2010. A first-team All-Big 12 honoree, Lemon ranked third in the Big 12 and 18th in the nation with 10.2 tackles per game. His 101 solo tackles led the Big 12 and ranked third nationally. Lemon finished with 133 total tackles. In his three previous seasons combined prior to 2010, Lemon had 96 tackles.
- Spent the previous three seasons as assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator and defensive backs coach at Duke.
- During his time with the Blue Devils, Spencer coached John Talley to first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors in both 2005 and 2006. He did remarkable work on the recruiting front for Duke, helping the Blue Devils land the nation’s No. 31 class in 2005 and the No. 36 class in 2006, according to Scout.com.
- Spencer coached the defensive line at Georgia Tech in 2002 and 2003 and served as the Yellow Jackets’ running backs coach in 2001.
- With Spencer coaching the defensive line, Georgia Tech ranked 12th nationally in rushing defense, 20th in total defense and 27th in scoring defense in 2003 and placed a pair of representatives on the All-ACC squad.
- Eric Henderson earned first-team recognition after leading the conference with 11 quarterback sacks and logging 24 tackles for loss, and Travis Parker earned honorable mention honors. In addition, Spencer coached Mansfield Wrotto to Freshman All-America honors.
- Spencer coached All-ACC tailback Joe Burns in 2001, helping Burns to become just the fifth 1,000-yard rusher in Yellow Jacket history.
- During his time with Georgia Tech, he coached the Yellow Jackets in the Silicon Valley Football Classic in 2002 and the Seattle Bowl in 2001. He helped Georgia Tech to an appearance in the 2003 Humanitarian Bowl.
- Spencer spent 11 seasons at West Georgia, highlighted by a successful three-year run as head coach from 1998-2000.
- Spencer compiled a 28-7 record that included Gulf South Conference championships and NCAA Division II playoff appearances in 1998 and 2000. The American Football Coaches Association honored him as the NCAA Division II Region Coach of the Year in 1998 after he coached the Braves to a 10-2 record. He led the team to an 8-3 mark in 1999 and a 10-2 record in 2000 and left West Georgia with a Gulf South Conference-record .800 winning percentage.
- Spencer started his coaching career as an assistant at West Georgia in 1990. He coached the defensive line and linebackers for seven years before taking over as defensive coordinator in 1997 when the Braves captured the school’s first Gulf South Conference title while establishing a single-season school record for scoring defense.
- Spencer was inducted into the West Georgia Hall of Fame in the summer of 2014.
- A native of Douglasville, Ga., Spencer graduated from Georgia Tech in 1987 with a degree in management. He was a four-year letterman as a defensive tackle for the Yellow Jackets from 1982-85.
- He has two sons, Luke and Abraham, and is married to recently retired ESPN college football and basketball reporter Jeannine Edwards.
| Season | Bowl Game | Opponent | Result |
| 2022 | Gasparilla Bowl | Missouri | W, 27-17 |
| 2019 | Boca Raton Bowl | SMU | W, 52-28 |
| 2017 | Camping World Bowl | Va. Tech | W, 30-21 |
| 2016 | Alamo Bowl | Colorado | W, 38-8 |
| 2015 | Sugar Bowl | Ole Miss | L, 48-20 |
| 2014 | Cactus Bowl | Washington | W, 30-22 |
| 2013 | Cotton Bowl | Missouri | W, 41-31 |
| 2012 | Heart of Dallas Bowl | Purdue | W, 58-14 |
| 2011 | Fiesta Bowl | Stanford | W, 41-38 (OT) |
| 2010 | Alamo Bowl | Arizona | W, 36-10 |
| 2009 | Cotton Bowl | Ole Miss | L, 21-7 |
| 2008 | Holiday Bowl | Oregon | L, 42-31 |
| 2003 | Humanitarian Bowl | Tulsa | W, 52-10 |
| 2002 | Silicon Valley Classic | Fresno State | L, 30-21 |
| 2001 | Seattle Bowl | Stanford | W, 24-14 |
Coaching History
| Seasons | School/Team | Title/Position Coached |
| 2022-Present | Wake Forest | Linebackers |
| 2021 | USF | Defensive Coordinator / Safeties |
| 2020 | USF | Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers |
| 2019 | FSU | Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers |
| 2018 | Charlotte | Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers |
| 2013-17 | Oklahoma State | Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers |
| 2011-12 | Oklahoma State | Co-Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers |
| 2009-10 | Oklahoma State | Linebackers |
| 2008 | Oklahoma State | Defensive Line |
| 2007 | Duke | Assistant Head Coach / Linebackers / Recruiting Coordinator |
| 2004-06 | Duke | Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Backs / Recruiting Coordinator |
| 2002-03 | Georgia Tech | Defensive Line |
| 2001 | Georgia Tech | Running Backs |
| 1998-2000 | West Georgia | Head Coach |
| 1997 | West Georgia | Defensive Coordinator |
| 1990-96 | West Georgia | Linebackers |
NFL Players (Round Drafted)
- LB Jacob Roberts (UDFA) - Wake Forest '24 - Philadelphia Eagles
- LB Ryan Smenda Jr. (UDFA) - Wake Forest '23 - Los Angeles Rams
- LB Alex Highsmith (3rd) - Charlotte ‘20 - Pittsburgh Steelers
- CB James Pierre (UDFA) - Florida Atlantic ‘20 - Pittsburgh Steelers
- DE Jordan Brailford (7th) - Oklahoma State ‘19 - Washington Commanders
- S Tre Flowers (5th) - Oklahoma State ‘18 - Seattle Seahawks
- DT Vincent Taylor (6th) - Oklahoma State ‘17 - Miami Dolphins
- DE Emmanuel Ogbah (2nd) - Oklahoma State ‘16 - Cleveland Browns
- S Josh Furman (7th) - Oklahoma State ‘15 - Denver Broncos
- CB Justin Gilbert (1st) - Oklahoma State ‘14 - Cleveland Browns
- S Markelle Martin (6th) - Oklahoma State ‘12 - Tennessee Titans
- LB Vincent Rey (UDFA) - Duke ‘10 - Cincinnati Bengals
- DE Anthony Hargrove (3rd) - Georgia Tech ‘04 - St. Louis Rams
- RB Joe Burns (UDFA) - Georgia Tech ‘02 - Buffalo Bills
- Birthday: May 1, 1964
- Hometown: Douglasville, Ga.
- Education: 1987 - Bachelor’s in management from Georgia Tech
- Wife: Jeannine
- Children: Luke and Abraham
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