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Sean Spence
Sean Spence
from Wikipedia

Sean Ryan Christopher Spence (born June 7, 1990) is an American football coach and former professional linebacker. He is the inside linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft. He played college football at the University of Miami, where he was named 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year. Spence was also a member of the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

At Miami Northwestern High School, Spence was part of the 2007 national championship team as chosen by USA Today.[1] His teammates included Lavonte David, Marcus Forston, Jacory Harris, Tommy Streeter, and Brandon Washington. As a senior, made more than 100 tackles, with three quarterback sacks, two interceptions (one for a TD). As a junior in 2006, made 147 tackles, 10 for losses, with two interceptions (one for a touchdown) and three sacks.

Spence played in the inaugural Under Armour All-America Game. Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Spence was listed as the No. 13 outside linebacker in the nation.[2]

College career

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Playing as a true freshman, Spence was a starter in the University of Miami's final eight games, and ranked third on the team with 62 tackles to go along with 7.5 tackles for loss, and a pair of sacks. He was named to College Football News′ All-Freshman first team,[3] as well as Rivals.com′s 2008 Freshman All-America team.[4]

Four weeks into the 2010 season, Spence had team-highs in tackles (38) and tackles for loss (6.5) in only four games. At the end of the 2011 season, Spence earned first-team All-ACC recognition for the 2011 season. The senior captain, who tied for fifth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference with 106 total tackles in 2011, ended the year second among all NCAA players with 47 career tackles for loss, including 14.0 in 2011. A semifinalist for the Butkus Award, Spence averaged 9.64 tackles per game (fourth in conference) and 1.27 tackles for loss per game (third in conference) in 2011. He finished the season with three sacks, one pass break-up and one forced fumble.

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11 in
(1.80 m)
231 lb
(105 kg)
31+12 in
(0.80 m)
9+14 in
(0.23 m)
4.71 s 1.63 s 2.70 s 4.28 s 7.46 s 33+12 in
(0.85 m)
9 ft 11 in
(3.02 m)
12 reps
All values from NFL Combine[5]

Pittsburgh Steelers (first stint)

[edit]

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Spence in the third round (86th overall) of the 2012 NFL draft. He was the 11th linebacker selected in 2012.[6]

On May 29, 2012, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Spence to a four-year, $2.70 million contract.[7]

He suffered a serious knee injury during the preseason and was declared out for the entire 2012 season. On August 25, 2013, the Steelers placed Spence on the Reserve/Physically Unable To Perform (PUP) List.[8][9] Three weeks after being taken off of the PUP list, the Steelers placed Spence on injured reserve, ending his injury-ridden 2013 season.[10] Sean Spence finished the 2014 season with 53 tackles and 1 sack for the Steelers, finishing with a record of 11–5 and winning the AFC North Division. Spence, who missed one game and didn't finish two due to hamstring injuries, had 37 tackles and a sack as the Steelers completed the 2015 regular season with a 10–6 mark. The Steelers won their first round playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals before dropping the next to Denver.[11]

Tennessee Titans

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On March 16, 2016, the Tennessee Titans signed Spence to a one-year, $2.5 million contract, reuniting him with former Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.[12] Spence finished the 2016 season with 50 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble.

Indianapolis Colts

[edit]

On March 19, 2017, Spence signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts.[13] On September 2, 2017, the Colts released Spence as part of the final roster cuts.[14] He was re-signed on September 13, 2017.[15] He was released again on October 3, 2017.[16]

Pittsburgh Steelers (second stint)

[edit]

On December 5, 2017, the Steelers signed Spence to a one-year, $775,000 contract after injuries to Ryan Shazier and Tyler Matakevich.[17]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2014 PIT 16 9 53 34 19 1.0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
2015 PIT 15 4 37 29 8 1.0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2016 TEN 15 6 54 37 17 3.0 2 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0
2017 IND 3 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PIT 4 4 19 11 8 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 53 23 163 111 52 6.0 10 0 0 0 0 3 2 1 0 0

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2014 PIT 1 1 2 1 1 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
2015 PIT 2 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2017 PIT 1 1 5 3 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 4 2 7 4 3 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Sean Spence (born June 7, 1990) is an American coach and former professional linebacker in the (). As of 2025, he serves as the defensive ends and specialist coach at , having joined the staff in 2023. Spence is known for his resilient NFL career marked by a near-career-ending injury and subsequent comeback, as well as his standout collegiate performance at the . Spence attended Northwestern High School in Miami, Florida, where he was rated as a four-star recruit and played under Billy Rolle. He then enrolled at the , redshirting in 2007 before emerging as a key defensive player for the from 2008 to 2011. As a freshman in 2008, he started nine of 13 games, recording 65 tackles including 9.5 for loss, an interception returned for a against State, and earning ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors along with First-Team Freshman All-American recognition from CollegeFootballNews.com and . In 2009 as a sophomore, he appeared in 10 games with 36 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss. His junior year in 2010 saw him start all 13 games, lead the team with 16 tackles for loss (fourth in the ACC), and tally 111 tackles (fifth in the ACC), earning Second-Team All-ACC honors and co-MVP status. Spence capped his college career in 2011 as a senior team captain, starting 11 games and leading the Hurricanes with 106 tackles (tied for fifth in the ACC), adding 14 tackles for loss to reach a career total of 47 (second among active NCAA players at the time); he received three ACC Linebacker of the Week awards, First-Team All-ACC selection, and semifinalist distinction. Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round (86th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft, Spence signed a four-year rookie contract worth approximately $2.5 million. However, during the preseason opener in August 2012, he sustained a severe left knee injury against the Philadelphia Eagles, tearing his ACL and LCL ligaments, dislocating his kneecap, and suffering nerve damage that initially jeopardized his professional career; he was placed on injured reserve and missed the entire 2012 season, followed by no games in 2013 after being cleared to practice but sidelined by a finger injury requiring surgery. Remarkably, Spence returned to the field in 2014 with the Steelers, playing in 16 games (nine starts) and recording 53 tackles with one sack, followed by 15 games (four starts) in 2015 with 37 tackles and one sack. He signed with the Tennessee Titans in March 2016, playing 15 games (six starts) that season with 54 tackles and three sacks. In 2017, Spence signed with the Indianapolis Colts in March, appearing in three games with four tackles before being released; he then joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in September, playing four games (four starts) with 15 tackles and one sack. Over his four-season NFL tenure (2014–2017) across 53 games (23 starts), Spence amassed 163 combined tackles (111 solo), six sacks, and one forced fumble. Following his playing career, Spence transitioned to coaching, joining the Western Michigan Broncos staff in 2023 initially as a special teams analyst before moving to a defensive role focused on edge rushers and pass rush development.

Early life and high school

Family and upbringing

Sean Spence was born on June 7, 1990, in , . He grew up in Opa-locka, a suburb of , where he was raised by both parents alongside two brothers and two sisters. Spence has described his mother as the "heart" of his , highlighting her profound influence on his life and values. His upbringing emphasized responsibility and being raised "the right way," within a close-knit structure that instilled perseverance amid the challenges of 's urban environment. From the age of six, Spence was exposed to football, starting at the 85-pound level despite weighing only 50 pounds; he played multiple positions, including , , and nose guard, often imitating his idol . This early passion led him to focus on defense upon entering Northwestern High School, where the program's talent depth allowed specialization. His oldest brother, who faced setbacks that prevented a opportunity, found inspiration in Spence's achievements.

High school career

Spence attended in , , where he played as a linebacker for the Bulls under head coach Billy Rolle. As a key contributor on defense, he helped lead the team to a consensus national championship in 2007, as selected by and . During his junior season in 2006, Spence recorded 197 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two interceptions, one returned for a . In his senior year of 2007, he amassed 123 tackles, three sacks, and two interceptions—including one for a —while anchoring the defense en route to the undefeated national title campaign. His standout performances earned him All-State honors from the Florida Sportswriters Association, PrepStar All-American recognition, and a spot on the , along with selection to the . Rated a four-star recruit, Spence ranked as the No. 13 outside linebacker nationally by (No. 24 in ), the No. 5 weakside linebacker by (No. 18 in ), and No. 2 outside linebacker by (No. 21 nationally). He participated in the inaugural and, after receiving offers from programs including Ohio State and Florida State, committed to the in February 2008 as part of the Hurricanes' top-rated recruiting class.

College career

University of Miami seasons

Sean Spence played for the Hurricanes from 2008 to 2011, primarily as a weak-side outside linebacker, starting in 40 of 47 games and emerging as a key defensive contributor during his tenure. In his season of , Spence appeared in all 13 games, starting the final nine, and recorded 65 total tackles (38 solo), 9.5 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks, ranking third on the team in tackles. His performance earned him the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. A standout moment came against rival Florida State, where he tallied 10 tackles, including an returned 7 yards for a in a 41-39 loss. As a in 2009, Spence played in 10 games with 36 total tackles (19 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks, contributing to Miami's defense amid a transitional year. Spence's junior year in 2010 marked a breakout, as he started all 13 games and led the Hurricanes with 111 total tackles (59 solo), adding 17.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, while ranking fourth in the ACC in both categories. Notable performances included 13 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss in a 30-21 win over Clemson, 11 tackles with 2.0 tackles for loss against Ohio State in a 36-24 loss, and 9 tackles with 1.5 sacks in a dominant 31-3 victory over rival . During his senior season in 2011, Spence started 11 games and again led the team with 106 total tackles (54 solo), 14.0 tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks, averaging 9.64 tackles per game (fourth in the ACC). He recorded double-digit tackles in six games, bolstering Miami's run defense despite team challenges. Over his four seasons, Spence amassed 318 total tackles (170 solo), 47 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks, with his 47 career tackles for loss ranking second among active NCAA players upon graduation. He became the first Hurricane since 2003 to post 100-plus tackles in consecutive seasons (111 in 2010 and 106 in 2011), providing consistent leadership on the defensive front.
YearClassGamesTotal TacklesTackles for LossSacks
2008FR13659.52.0
2009SO10366.53.0
2010JR1311117.02.5
2011SR1110614.03.0
Career4731847.010.5

College accolades

During his freshman season in 2008, Spence was named the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and First-Team Freshman All-American by CollegeFootballNews.com and after recording 65 total tackles, including 9.5 for loss, while starting the final nine games for the Hurricanes (regular season: 62 tackles, 7.5 for loss). As a junior in 2010, he earned second-team All-ACC honors from the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association, leading the team with 111 tackles and 17 tackles for loss, and was named co-MVP of the Hurricanes. In his senior year of 2011, Spence received first-team All-ACC recognition, was selected as the ' Defensive Most Outstanding Player, and served as team captain after leading the team with 106 tackles and 14 tackles for loss. He earned ACC Linebacker of the Week honors three times and was a semifinalist for the . Spence became the first University of Miami player since in 2003 to record over 100 tackles in consecutive seasons, achieving 111 in 2010 and 106 in 2011. His career total of 318 tackles.

Professional career

2012 NFL Draft and early injury

The selected linebacker Sean Spence in the third round, 86th overall, of the , valuing his potential as a versatile weak-side defender following a productive college career at the . Pre-draft evaluations highlighted his athleticism, including a hand-timed 4.56-second that demonstrated quick acceleration, along with strong instincts and reliable tackling technique that allowed him to pursue plays sideline-to-sideline effectively. Spence's promising start was derailed during the Steelers' fourth preseason game against the on August 30, 2012, when he suffered a catastrophic to his left after being blocked awkwardly while pursuing the quarterback. The involved tears to the (ACL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL), a dislocated kneecap, and significant damage to the peroneal , which controls foot and ankle movement. He underwent immediate to repair the ligaments and stabilize the , but the damage complicated recovery, leading to the team placing him on injured reserve and ruling him out for the entire 2012 season. Rehabilitation proved arduous, with Spence facing challenges from , loss of knee stability, and the slow regeneration of the , which initially left his foot with limited mobility and required extensive focused on rebuilding strength and . After approximately 14 months of intensive rehab, he returned to non-contact practice in October 2013, but suffered a finger injury during practice requiring , which, combined with ongoing issues, caused him to miss all of 2013 as well. Spence was finally cleared for full contact in May 2014, marking a significant milestone in his recovery timeline and allowing him to resume competitive play the following preseason.

Pittsburgh Steelers (first stint)

Sean Spence made his NFL debut with the in 2014, following a prolonged recovery from a severe sustained during the 2012 preseason that had delayed his professional start by nearly two years. He transitioned to the active roster and appeared in all 16 regular-season games, starting nine at inside linebacker while filling in amid injuries to key players. Spence recorded 53 total tackles (34 solo, 19 assisted) and one sack, contributing to the ' 11-5 record and division title. His first career sack came in Week 17 against the , dropping quarterback for a 7-yard loss in a 27-17 victory. In 2014, Spence also demonstrated versatility by recovering a in a Week 7 win over the Houston Texans, setting up a that helped secure a 30-23 upset. His performance earned him the team's 2014 , recognizing his perseverance through rehabilitation. As a rotational defender, Spence adapted quickly to the level, often playing alongside veterans like to bolster the run defense. During the 2015 season, Spence's role shifted toward special teams and situational defense, appearing in 15 games with four starts despite hamstring injuries that caused him to miss one game and exit two others early. He tallied 37 total tackles (29 solo, 8 assisted) and one sack, primarily contributing on coverage units and in sub-packages. A standout moment came in Week 5 against the , where Spence recorded a sack on and forced a fumble, aiding a 24-20 road win. Overall, his contributions helped the Steelers reach the again, though his snaps decreased as the team prioritized other linebackers in the base defense.

Tennessee Titans

Spence signed with the as a on March 16, 2016, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $2.5 million. Following four seasons with the , where he had established himself as a versatile inside linebacker after recovering from a severe injury sustained in his rookie year, Spence joined the Titans to bolster their linebacker depth. In the 2016 season, Spence appeared in all 15 games for the Titans, starting six, and recorded 54 total tackles (37 solo), 3.0 sacks, 3 passes defensed, and 1 forced fumble. His role primarily involved providing depth at inside linebacker and contributing on special teams, though he saw increased defensive snaps amid injuries to other players, including a notable performance with 5 tackles and 1 sack in the season finale against the Houston Texans. Spence's contributions helped support the Titans' improved defense, which ranked 14th in total yards allowed that year. Following the expiration of his contract after the 2016 season, Spence entered free agency and departed the Titans.

Indianapolis Colts

After being released from the Tennessee Titans following the 2016 season, Sean Spence signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an unrestricted free agent on March 20, 2017, to a one-year contract worth $2.5 million, including $750,000 guaranteed. He was waived during final cuts on September 2, 2017, as part of the team's roster trimming. Spence was re-signed to the Colts' on September 13, 2017. He was promoted to the active roster shortly thereafter and appeared in three games during Weeks 2 through 4 of the 2017 season, logging 72 special teams snaps but no defensive plays or recorded statistics. His role was limited by the team's depth at linebacker, where he ranked behind established starters and reserves on the depth chart. The Colts released Spence on October 3, 2017, ending his brief tenure with the team.

Pittsburgh Steelers (second stint)

After being released by the on October 3, 2017, Sean Spence rejoined the on December 5, 2017, signing a one-year contract valued at $775,000 to address depth needs at inside linebacker following severe injuries to and . Spence quickly integrated into the Steelers' defense during the regular season's final stretch, appearing in four games—all starts—from Week 14 onward. In those contests, he amassed 19 total tackles (11 solo), one sack against the Houston Texans on December 25, one tackle for loss, and two quarterback hits, contributing to Pittsburgh's 11-5 record and title. His performance provided stability in a depleted linebacker room, with notable efforts including eight tackles and a sack in the Christmas Day victory over . In the postseason, Spence started the Steelers' AFC Wild Card playoff game against the on January 14, 2018, which resulted in a 45-42 loss. He recorded five tackles (three solo) and one quarterback hit while logging 54 defensive snaps (88.5% of total), marking his final appearance as a professional player. Spence did not return to the after the 2017 season, effectively retiring from playing to pursue a career in .

Coaching career

Special teams analyst role

Following his retirement from the NFL after the 2017 season, where he last appeared for the , Sean Spence transitioned into coaching by joining the Western Michigan Broncos staff. In August 2023, Spence was hired as a special teams analyst for the football program. In this role, he assisted with special teams strategy, film breakdown, and player development, drawing on his NFL experience as a linebacker who contributed on coverage units during his professional career. During the 2023 season, under Spence's analytical support, the Broncos' special teams unit featured kicker Palmer Domschke, who converted 9 of 15 field goal attempts (60.0%) with a long of 49 yards and was perfect on 35 extra-point tries. Punting averaged 39.3 yards per attempt across 56 punts, led by Carson Voss (39.3 yards on 43 punts), while return games produced modest gains, including 18.9 yards per kickoff return. The team finished 4-8 overall (3-5 in the MAC), with special teams contributing to key moments but facing challenges in consistency.

Linebackers coach position

In 2024, Sean Spence was promoted from special teams analyst to linebackers coach at , marking his first on-field position coaching role in . This move built on his prior analytical contributions to the Broncos' staff, allowing him to directly influence the defensive unit. As linebackers coach, Spence focused on developing the position group through technique refinement, scheme integration within the Broncos' defensive system, and active involvement in recruiting defensive talent. His efforts contributed to notable improvements in linebacker performance during the 2024 season, where the unit anchored a defense that helped the team achieve a 6-7 overall record and 5-3 mark in play, an uptick from 4-8 the prior year. Key examples of player growth under Spence included senior Donald Willis, who emerged as the team's leading tackler with 109 total stops (62 solo), more than doubling his 40 tackles from 2023 while adding 6 tackles for loss and 4 pass breakups. Junior Jacob Wahlberg also stepped up with 78 tackles, ranking third on the team and providing consistent run support. These advancements bolstered Western Michigan's run defense, which limited opponents to 192.5 rushing yards per game on average. Spence's tenure in the linebackers role concluded after the campaign, as he shifted to assistant coach for defensive ends and specialist ahead of the 2025 season; in that ongoing capacity as of November 2025, he continues to support the Broncos' defense during a strong 6-4 start.

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Sean Spence appeared in 53 regular season games over four seasons from 2014 to 2017, primarily as an outside linebacker with rotational defensive duties and significant contributions on special teams. His career totals include 163 combined tackles (111 solo), 6.0 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 3 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery, with no interceptions recorded. Spence started 23 of those games, often seeing increased snaps in base defense packages during his time with the and . The following table summarizes his regular season defensive statistics year by year:
YearTeam(s)Games PlayedGames StartedCombined TacklesSolo TacklesAssisted TacklesSacksTackles for LossInterceptionsPasses DefendedForced FumblesFumble Recoveries
2014PIT1695334191.030001
2015PIT154372981.040000
2016TEN1565437173.020310
2017IND/PIT74191181.010000
Career-5323163111526.0100311
Spence's usage leaned heavily toward special teams early in his career, where he logged substantial snaps while developing as a depth defender, transitioning to more prominent rotational roles by 2016.

Playoffs

Spence appeared in four playoff games during his career, all with the , serving primarily as a depth linebacker and special teams contributor. In these contests, he recorded 7 combined tackles (4 solo, 3 assisted), 1 sack, 1 forced , and 2 hits, while playing 75 defensive snaps and 56 special teams snaps. His postseason debut came in the 2014 season's Wild Card round on January 3, 2015, against the , where he started and contributed 2 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced in a 30-17 loss. During the 2015 season playoffs, Spence participated in the Wild Card victory over the on January 9, 2016 (no defensive stats, 17 special teams snaps) and the Divisional round loss to the on January 17, 2016 (no defensive stats, 18 special teams snaps). In the 2017 season's Divisional round on January 14, 2018, against the , he again started, logging 5 tackles and 1 quarterback hit in a 45-42 defeat. Overall, Spence's limited snaps underscored his role as a rotational player in the Steelers' postseason defenses, with no interceptions or pass deflections recorded.

References

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