Spence Nowinsky begins his ninth season at Illinois State and fourth as the team’s defensive coordinator. Also serving as the team’s assistant head coach, Nowinsky mentors the team’s defensive lineman.
Nowinsky’s defensive unit was a key factor to the Redbirds’ historic success in 2014. The team’s 44 sacks were second most in school history and its 18 interceptions were the most for the Redbirds since 1989. ISU also ranked second in the MVFC in rushing yards allowed (119.7) and third in total defense.
The Redbird defensive line, which Nowinsky has called the “Cadillacs” for their durability, strength and power, has produced staggering numbers during his tenure. Four of Nowinsky’s players have been named First-Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selections, including two-time picks in defensive tackle Eric Brunner (2010-11), end Colton Underwood (2012-13), tackle Shelby Harris (2012) and Teddy Corwin (2014).
Underwood became one of the most decorated players in Illinois State Football history. Named a First-Team All-American in both the 2012 and 2013 seasons, Underwood was also a two-time finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award that is presented to the best defensive player in FCS football. In his illustrious four-year career with the Redbirds working with Nowinsky, Underwood registered 215 tackles and finished his career ranked No. 3 in tackles for loss and No. 4 on the career sacks.
Nowinsky was also instrumental in the development of defensive end Nate Palmer, who transferred to Illinois State prior to the 2011 season and became a two-time All-MVFC selection. Palmer recorded 17 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss in just two seasons at ISU and was drafted in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.
The 2012 Redbird defense racked up negative plays throughout the year, finishing with 43 sacks (No. 3 in school history) and 95 tackles for loss (No. 4 in school history). Nowinsky’s linemen accounted for 56 of those tackles for loss and 29 of the sacks, with Underwood leading the way with 19.5 and 10.5, respectively, as the Redbirds advanced to the FCS playoff quarterfinals for the third time in school history.
After a 2010 season that the Redbird defense ranked 112th in the country, Nowinsky and the rest of the defensive staff turned the ISU defense into one of the of best in the country in 2011. The Redbirds improved to No. 9 in the country in total defense, thanks in part to one of the stingiest run defenses in the country. Nowinsky’s line helped the Redbirds hold their opponents to just 85.7 yards per game on the ground, which ranked No. 5 in the country.
In 2010, Brunner earned First Team All-MVFC honors at defensive tackle and led the Redbirds with four sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. Nowinsky also helped Harris improve throughout the season on way to earning a spot on the MVFC All-Newcomer Team.
In 2009, Nowinsky helped guide Brunner to a breakout season as a sophomore when he ranked fifth on the team with 47 tackles, including 23 solo stops, on way to being named a second-team All-MVFC selection. Senior Doni Phelps also peaked in his final season by leading the team in tackles-for-loss (8.5) and sacks with seven.
Nowinsky came to Illinois State following two years as the associate head coach and defensive line coach at NCAA Division II member Emporia State. He had prior experience coaching at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level, including assistant coaching positions at Western Athletic Conference (WAC) member Idaho (2003) and Wisconsin (1999-2002).
Prior to coaching at Emporia State, Nowinsky spent three seasons at his alma mater, Minnesota State, where he coached the defensive line during the 2004 and 2006 seasons. In 2005, Nowinsky coached the Mavericks’ offensive line.
Nowinsky spent the 2003 season as a defensive line coach for Idaho. He began his collegiate coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at Wisconsin from 1999-2002. The Badgers won the 2000 Rose Bowl with a 17-9 victory over Stanford. Nowinsky was an assistant coach at Wittenberg-Birnamwood (Wis.) High School from 1997-99 and began his coaching career in 1995-97 as an assistant at Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial (Minn.) High School.
Nowinsky played football at Minnesota State from 1991-94 as a defensive lineman. He and his wife, Jen, reside in Normal, Ill., with their two sons, Tommy and Jack.
