Recent from talks
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Sean Spence
View on 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
[edit]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]| 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+1⁄2 in (0.80 m) |
9+1⁄4 in (0.23 m) |
4.71 s | 1.63 s | 2.70 s | 4.28 s | 7.46 s | 33+1⁄2 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
[edit]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
[edit]| 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]- ^ Miami Northwestern crowned Super 25 champion
- ^ Rivals.com outside linebackers 2008
- ^ Cirminiello, Richard (December 11, 2008). "2008 CFN All-Freshman Defensive Team". College Football News. Archived from the original on December 14, 2008.
- ^ "Rivals.com 2008 Freshman All-America teams". Rivals.com. December 17, 2008. Archived from the original on June 4, 2009.
- ^ "NFL Draft Profile: Sean Spence". NFL.com. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ "2012 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ "Spotrac.com: Sean Spence contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ "Steelers Make Roster Moves; Trim Roster to 75". Steelers.com. August 25, 2013. Archived from the original on August 26, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
- ^ "Pittsburgh Steelers May Activate Sean Spence from PUP After Week 6 Match-Up". Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
- ^ "Pittsburgh Steelers Place Linebacker Sean Spence on Injured Reserve". Archived from the original on February 21, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
- ^ "Sean Spence Steelers page". Archived from the original on March 19, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ Titans agree to terms with LB Sean Spence
- ^ Shook, Nick (March 19, 2017). "Colts agree to one-year deal with LB Sean Spence". NFL.com.
- ^ Patra, Kevin (September 2, 2017). "Indianapolis Colts cut linebacker Sean Spence". NFL.com.
- ^ "Roster Moves: Colts Sign LB-Sean Spence, Place T/G Denzelle Good on Injured Reserve List". Colts.com. September 13, 2017.
- ^ "Colts Sign OL Kalis, Person; Place Bond On IR". Colts.com. October 3, 2017. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017.
- ^ Varley, Teresa (December 6, 2017). "Steelers bring back Spence". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
External links
[edit]Sean Spence
View on GrokipediaEarly life and high school
Family and upbringing
Sean Spence was born on June 7, 1990, in Miami, Florida.[3] He grew up in Opa-locka, a suburb of Miami, where he was raised by both parents alongside two brothers and two sisters.[6] Spence has described his mother as the "heart" of his family, highlighting her profound influence on his life and values. His upbringing emphasized responsibility and being raised "the right way," within a close-knit family structure that instilled perseverance amid the challenges of Miami's urban environment.[6] 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 running back, quarterback, and nose guard, often imitating his idol Barry Sanders.[6] This early passion led him to focus on defense upon entering Miami Northwestern High School, where the program's talent depth allowed specialization.[6] His oldest brother, who faced setbacks that prevented a college football opportunity, found inspiration in Spence's achievements.[6]High school career
Spence attended Miami Northwestern Senior High School in Miami, Florida, where he played as a linebacker for the Bulls under head coach Billy Rolle.[4][3] As a key contributor on defense, he helped lead the team to a consensus national championship in 2007, as selected by USA Today and Sports Illustrated.[4] During his junior season in 2006, Spence recorded 197 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown.[4][3] In his senior year of 2007, he amassed 123 tackles, three sacks, and two interceptions—including one for a touchdown—while anchoring the defense en route to the undefeated national title campaign.[3][4] His standout performances earned him All-State honors from the Florida Sportswriters Association, PrepStar All-American recognition, and a spot on the Miami Herald's South Florida Top 25 at No. 6, along with selection to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100 team.[4][3] Rated a four-star recruit, Spence ranked as the No. 13 outside linebacker nationally by Rivals.com (No. 24 in Florida), the No. 5 weakside linebacker by Scout.com (No. 18 in Florida), and No. 2 outside linebacker by ESPN (No. 21 nationally).[4][3] He participated in the inaugural Under Armour All-America Game and, after receiving offers from programs including Ohio State and Florida State, committed to the University of Miami in February 2008 as part of the Hurricanes' top-rated recruiting class.[4][3]College career
University of Miami seasons
Sean Spence played college football for the University of Miami 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.[3] In his freshman season of 2008, 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.[7] His performance earned him the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.[4] A standout moment came against rival Florida State, where he tallied 10 tackles, including an interception returned 7 yards for a touchdown in a 41-39 loss.[8] As a sophomore 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.[7][3] 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.[3][4] 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 Pittsburgh.[9] 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).[7][3] He recorded double-digit tackles in six games, bolstering Miami's run defense despite team challenges.[3] 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.[4][3] 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.[3]| Year | Class | Games | Total Tackles | Tackles for Loss | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | FR | 13 | 65 | 9.5 | 2.0 |
| 2009 | SO | 10 | 36 | 6.5 | 3.0 |
| 2010 | JR | 13 | 111 | 17.0 | 2.5 |
| 2011 | SR | 11 | 106 | 14.0 | 3.0 |
| Career | 47 | 318 | 47.0 | 10.5 |
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 Rivals.com 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).[4][3] 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.[10][4] In his senior year of 2011, Spence received first-team All-ACC recognition, was selected as the Miami Hurricanes' Defensive Most Outstanding Player, and served as team captain after leading the team with 106 tackles and 14 tackles for loss.[4][11] He earned ACC Linebacker of the Week honors three times and was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award.[4][3] Spence became the first University of Miami player since Jonathan Vilma in 2003 to record over 100 tackles in consecutive seasons, achieving 111 in 2010 and 106 in 2011.[3] His career total of 318 tackles.[4]Professional career
2012 NFL Draft and early injury
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected linebacker Sean Spence in the third round, 86th overall, of the 2012 NFL Draft, valuing his potential as a versatile weak-side defender following a productive college career at the University of Miami.[12] Pre-draft evaluations highlighted his athleticism, including a hand-timed 4.56-second 40-yard dash that demonstrated quick acceleration, along with strong instincts and reliable tackling technique that allowed him to pursue plays sideline-to-sideline effectively.[13][14] Spence's promising start was derailed during the Steelers' fourth preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on August 30, 2012, when he suffered a catastrophic injury to his left knee after being blocked awkwardly while pursuing the quarterback.[15] The injury involved tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL), a dislocated kneecap, and significant damage to the peroneal nerve, which controls foot and ankle movement.[16] He underwent immediate surgery to repair the ligaments and stabilize the knee, but the nerve damage complicated recovery, leading to the team placing him on injured reserve and ruling him out for the entire 2012 season.[17] Rehabilitation proved arduous, with Spence facing challenges from muscle atrophy, loss of knee stability, and the slow regeneration of the peroneal nerve, which initially left his foot with limited mobility and required extensive physical therapy focused on rebuilding strength and proprioception.[18] After approximately 14 months of intensive rehab, he returned to non-contact practice in October 2013, but suffered a finger injury during practice requiring surgery, which, combined with ongoing nerve issues, caused him to miss all of 2013 as well.[19][20] 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.[21]Pittsburgh Steelers (first stint)
Sean Spence made his NFL debut with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014, following a prolonged recovery from a severe knee injury 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 Steelers' 11-5 record and AFC North division title.[5] His first career sack came in Week 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals, dropping quarterback Andy Dalton for a 7-yard loss in a 27-17 victory. In 2014, Spence also demonstrated versatility by recovering a fumble in a Week 7 win over the Houston Texans, setting up a touchdown that helped secure a 30-23 upset. His performance earned him the team's 2014 Ed Block Courage Award, recognizing his perseverance through rehabilitation.[22] As a rotational defender, Spence adapted quickly to the NFL level, often playing alongside veterans like Lawrence Timmons 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.[23] 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 San Diego Chargers, where Spence recorded a sack on Philip Rivers and forced a fumble, aiding a 24-20 road win. Overall, his contributions helped the Steelers reach the playoffs again, though his snaps decreased as the team prioritized other linebackers in the base defense.[24]Tennessee Titans
Spence signed with the Tennessee Titans as a free agent on March 16, 2016, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $2.5 million.[25][26] Following four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he had established himself as a versatile inside linebacker after recovering from a severe knee injury sustained in his rookie year, Spence joined the Titans to bolster their linebacker depth.[25][27] 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.[5] 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.[28] Spence's contributions helped support the Titans' improved defense, which ranked 14th in total yards allowed that year.[29] Following the expiration of his contract after the 2016 season, Spence entered free agency and departed the Titans.[30]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.[31][32] He was waived during final cuts on September 2, 2017, as part of the team's roster trimming.[33] Spence was re-signed to the Colts' practice squad on September 13, 2017.[32] 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.[34] 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.[35]Pittsburgh Steelers (second stint)
After being released by the Indianapolis Colts on October 3, 2017, Sean Spence rejoined the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 5, 2017, signing a one-year contract valued at $775,000 to address depth needs at inside linebacker following severe injuries to Ryan Shazier and Tyler Matakevich.[36][37][38] 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 AFC North title.[34] His performance provided stability in a depleted linebacker room, with notable efforts including eight tackles and a sack in the Christmas Day victory over Houston.[39] In the postseason, Spence started the Steelers' AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars 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.[40] Spence did not return to the NFL after the 2017 season, effectively retiring from playing to pursue a career in coaching.[5]Coaching career
Special teams analyst role
Following his retirement from the NFL after the 2017 season, where he last appeared for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sean Spence transitioned into coaching by joining the Western Michigan Broncos staff.[5] In August 2023, Spence was hired as a special teams analyst for the Western Michigan University football program.[41] 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.[41][5] 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.[42] 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.[42] The team finished 4-8 overall (3-5 in the MAC), with special teams contributing to key moments but facing challenges in consistency.[42]Linebackers coach position
In 2024, Sean Spence was promoted from special teams analyst to linebackers coach at Western Michigan University, marking his first on-field position coaching role in college football. 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 Mid-American Conference play, an uptick from 4-8 the prior year.[43][42] 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.[44][45] Junior Jacob Wahlberg also stepped up with 78 tackles, ranking third on the team and providing consistent run support.[46] These advancements bolstered Western Michigan's run defense, which limited opponents to 192.5 rushing yards per game on average.[47] Spence's tenure in the linebackers role concluded after the 2024 campaign, as he shifted to assistant coach for defensive ends and pass rush 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.[1][48]NFL career statistics
Regular season
Sean Spence appeared in 53 regular season games over four NFL seasons from 2014 to 2017, primarily as an outside linebacker with rotational defensive duties and significant contributions on special teams.[5] 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.[5] Spence started 23 of those games, often seeing increased snaps in base defense packages during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans.[5] The following table summarizes his regular season defensive statistics year by year:| Year | Team(s) | Games Played | Games Started | Combined Tackles | Solo Tackles | Assisted Tackles | Sacks | Tackles for Loss | Interceptions | Passes Defended | Forced Fumbles | Fumble Recoveries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | PIT | 16 | 9 | 53 | 34 | 19 | 1.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2015 | PIT | 15 | 4 | 37 | 29 | 8 | 1.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | TEN | 15 | 6 | 54 | 37 | 17 | 3.0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017 | IND/PIT | 7 | 4 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | - | 53 | 23 | 163 | 111 | 52 | 6.0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 |