Bill Belichick

I have known Kevin Spencer for over fifty years. The irony is that we didn’t meet on a football field, but on a collegiate lacrosse Field when I played at Wesleyan University and Kevin played for Springfield College. We played against each other from 1973-75. We would meet again in Detroit, Michigan. Kevin was coaching football and lacrosse at Detroit Country Day School and I was a coaching assistant for the Detroit Lions. I got to know Kevin as a person and as a football & lacrosse coach. I was impressed with his desire to excel as a coach. Kevin is always well-prepared and is an excellent teacher, who is always looking to improve his teaching skill. Kevin’s coaching career climbed in the collegiate ranks and I recommended him to be the head football coach at my alma mater, Wesleyan University. Kevin was a positive influence on the program and changed the culture by creating more accountability and pride in the program. In 1991, I became the Head Coach of the Cleveland Browns, and I immediately hired Kevin on my staff. Kevin worked diligently as a NFL coach and held a variety of duties during his time with the Browns. Kevin was an asset to the Browns program and continued to make a positive impact on NFL teams during his successful 26 year NFL coaching career. He would also add a Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl Championship to his impressive resume. Kevin’s success as a coach/teacher stems from his patience, strong work ethic, unselfish attitude, direct communication, willingness to learn and adapt, and his attention to detail. Kevin’s story is unique, and will motivate anyone who wants to learn how to have a productive career and a fulfilling personal life. In short, Kevin is a good teammate, with strong moral values and a passion to help his team.

Tom Isaak, teacher of “Careers in Sports” at St. Augustine High School, San Diego

What is the secret to winning a highly coveted Super Bowl ring? Its not always the path that most people believe it to be. Kevin Spencer’s story is inspirational to everyone because he shows through real-life examples that things we all control (aka: things that require no extra special talent) — work ethic, being on-time, attitude, passion, and being coachable – lead to success in life, whether a person’s goal is to be a Super Bowl winning coach, a successful businessperson, or to just enhance day-to-day happiness. Kevin’s story is great to hear as it provides a realistic framework for how to build relationships every day with people that last a lifetime and then he shows how these relationships lead both sides to success down the road. Its hard to imagine that a small college football player would end up hoisting a Super Bowl trophy through his relationship with the most famous NFL coach of the past 30 years but its even more amazing to learn that it happened not because of football but because of…..lacrosse? Kevin’s story is interesting, motivating and well worth everyone’s time!

Matt Daugherty Program Director Lakewood/Rocky River Ohio Rotary

Kevin gave a great presentation filled with real life experiences. Very interesting and inspiring, especially if you love the game of football!