FOLLOW OHIO FOOTBALL: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
 
ATHENS, Ohio—Ohio football head coach Tim Albin announced today that former Miami Redhawks co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Spence Nowinsky will be joining the Bobcats' coaching staff as the defensive coordinator. 
 
"Spence's defense at both Illinois State and Miami have shown the ability to stop the run game and get pressure on the quarterback," said Albin. "After game-planning against his defenses over the past four seasons, we know first-hand that he has made the most of his personnel and has been a huge part of the recent success at his previous stop out west. Spence is a home run hire for our program."
 
Nowinsky was Miami's co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for four seasons. Under his guidance, the 2018 Redhawks' defense finished in the top-half of almost every statistical category. They finished fourth in scoring defense (25.5), third in rush defense (159.7) and fifth in total defense (368.2) and sacks (29). Their defense only improved—in 2019, they finished second in scoring (22.5), third in total defense (352.9) and first in pass defense (175.9). 
 
Two of Nowinsky's linebackers earned All-MAC honors. In 2018, Brad Koenig earned First-Team All-MAC and in 2019, Myles Reid earned Third-Team All-MAC. 
 
"I'm extremely excited for the opportunity to work under the leadership of Coach Albin at Ohio University," said Nowinsky. "I look forward to developing and growing the Defensive Unit which has had a history of success and a tradition of excellence. My family and I are ecstatic about this next chapter of our lives in Athens."
 
Prior to Miami, Nowinsky spent nine seasons at Illinois State, including four as the defensive coordinator. Under Nowinsky, six Redbirds earned all-conference honors and one student-athlete became a two-time first-team All-American in 2012 and 2013. In the four years Nowinsky was the defensive coordinator, the defense accumulated 131 sacks, helping ISU force 70 turnovers. 
 
Nowinsky spent two seasons as the associate head coach and defensive line coach at Emporia State following three seasons at his alma mater, Minnesota State, and one season at Idaho. He began his collegiate career at Wisconsin, where he was a graduate assistant from 1999-2002. 
 
Nowinsky was a defensive lineman at Minnesota State from 1991-94. He and his wife, Jen, have two sons, Tommy and Jack.