Head Coach
BROCK SPACK HEAD COACH // FIRST SEASON AT ISU
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When Brock Spack was named the 20th head coach in Illinois State football history Dec. 17, 2008, it did not just mark the beginning of a new era in Redbird football, it signaled the beginning of an entirely new belief system for the type of football program that Illinois State could field, year-in and year-out. Spack, who was the former defensive coordinator at NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Big Ten Conference member Purdue, brought with him a belief that Illinois State football was a “sleeping giant” – a program that had all of the tools and resources to be a powerhouse in NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) football, but was lacking the bravado and the foresight to see itself that way. After just a short while on the job, it appears that Spack is doing everything he can to change that image. In comes Spack, who was the former defensive coordinator at Purdue – a man who spent 12 seasons molding Purdue’s defenses into some of the best in the nation, and in the process, helped lead the Boilermakers to unprecedented success, something he plans to do at Illinois State. “I’ve been part of championships in the past,” said Spack. “I plan on being part of championships in the future. Winning championships and graduating student-athletes will be our primary focus (at Illinois State).” Spack didn’t mince words during the media conference to announce his hiring. He laid out his plans for the Redbird football team, plain and simple: “We are here to win championships. Period." In doing so, Spack helped turn a page for Illinois State football during a period of unprecedented growth and success for Redbird Athletics. With many ISU sports already competing as the best in the Missouri Valley Conference, Spack sees no reason why Redbird football can’t be the No. 1 team in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. “I always thought of Illinois State as a sleeping giant,” said Spack. “I think it’s time to wake this giant up.” Looking for someone to bring Redbird football into an era of growth and success that is on par with the rest of ISU’s athletic programs, Illinois State Director of Athletics Dr. Sheahon Zenger searched the nation for a head coach that had the skills and coaching knowledge to lead a team to greatness, but also had the foresight to see past just one year of success, and look toward the overall future health of the program. “Brock Spack brings an intensity to Redbird football that matches the commitment that Illinois State University has made to achieving excellence, both on-and-off the field of play,” said Zenger. “When we
began the process of searching for a new head football coach, we established a list of seven criteria that we were looking for in a head coach, and Coach Spack exceeded each of those expectations. I expect his blue-collar, no-nonsense approach to football to set the tone for our program for years to come. “Coach Spack is well known throughout the nation for being a relentless recruiter and a tough-minded coach who establishes great relationships with his players. He was one of the most respected football coaches in the Big Ten Conference, not only for his defensive expertise and recruiting ability, but also for his loyalty to the institutions for which he has worked. Coach Spack is unique, in that he’s a defensive coach that wants to run a wide-open offense, which is exactly what we were looking to bring to Illinois State.” Spack comes to Illinois State following 12 seasons as the defensive coordinator at Purdue, where he guided the Boilermakers to the top-ranked defense in the Big Ten Conference in 2002 and the 13thbest defense in the nation in 2003. He coached in 11 bowl games while at Purdue, including a Rose Bowl appearance in 2001. From 2000 to 2004, the Purdue defense became one of the stingiest units in the Big Ten. The Boilermakers were tops in total defense in 2002 (317.2 yards per game) – the first time they had been No. 1 since 1967 – after ranking third in 2000 and 2001. They were third in 2003, as well, and ranked 13th nationally. As defensive coordinator at Wyoming in 1995 and 1996, Spack recharged the defense, which improved from fifth to second in total defense in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The Cowboys topped the WAC in sacks during his two years, including a schoolrecord 46 in 1996. Spack was Purdue’s inside linebackers coach from 1991 to 1994 and was a graduate assistant coach for the Boilermakers in 1984 and 1985. From 1987 to 1990, Spack was an assistant coach at Eastern Illinois (linebackers/defensive line/recruiting coordinator) and in 1986, was at Wabash College (defensive line/strength coach). Spack graduated from Purdue in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in social studies. He earned a master’s degree in physical education from Eastern Illinois in 1990. Spack played linebacker for the Boilermakers from 1980-83, earning first-team All-Big Ten and honorable mention All-America honors as a sophomore. He was a three-year starter and currently ranks fifth on the Boilermakers’ career tackles list with 384. A native of Rockford, Ill., Spack (born Jan. 5, 1962) and his wife, Aimee, have two children, Alicia and Brent.