Washington & Jefferson College Athletics

Steve Spence enters his 15th season at Washington & Jefferson College in 2024. Spence has been a member of the Presidents' football coaching staff since 2010. 

Formerly the offensive coordinator, W&J won three consecutive PAC Championships under his offensive direction and the Presidents defeated Wittenberg 41-25 in the 2014 NCAA Division III first round for the program’s first playoff victory since 2008.

In 2016, wide receiver Jesse Zubik became a consensus Second Team All-American, appearing on lists from D3football.com, the American Football Coaches Association and the Associated Press Little All-America team. Zubik was a unanimous First Team All-American following the 2017 season and became the program’s first D3football.com South Region Offensive Player of the Year. Zubik finished his career with the third-most receiving yards (4,756) in Division III history. He was also ninth in receptions (291) and touchdowns (54).

Spence helped Alex Baroffio ’14 become the first wide receiver in school history to record 100 receptions during his first two seasons. Baroffio virtually re-wrote the record books at W&J for the wide receiver position, finishing his career first in receptions and receiving yards.

Spence came to the W&J campus after a successful two-year stint as an assistant offensive coach at John Carroll University. He also assisted with the Blue Streaks’ strength and conditioning program.

A 2008 John Carroll graduate with a degree in exercise science, Spence was a two-year quarterback from 2005-2006 for JCU. He was a two-year member of the Student Athlete Unity Council and a 2006 team captain.

Spence and his wife, Krista, reside in Pittsburgh with their young son, Derek.