Wikipedia

Willie D. Spears Jr.

Willie D. Spears Jr. known as Willie Spears is an American motivational speaker, author, coach, and licensed minister.[1][2][3] He is an award-winning teacher and has worked as a radio personality and national columnist. Through

Willie D. Spears Jr.
Born1977, October 20
Panama City, Florida
NationalityAmerican
Known forMotivational Speaker, Author, Coach
Websitehttps://williespears.com/

his business, The Willie Spears Experience, he speaks to schools, companies, sports teams, churches, and prison inmates.[4][5]

Early Life & Coaching

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Willie Spears was born in Panama City, Florida.[6] He is the great-great-grandson of Jose Massalina, who was the first black man to settle in Panama City. Willie is also the great-great-grandson of Hawk Massalina, who fought in the Civil War for both the Union and the Confederacy and lived to be 107 years old. He has written two children's books about his ancestor "Who was Hawk Massalina?" (2020) and "George and Hawk's Big Adventure" (2023).[7][8][9]

Willie graduated from Rutherford High School and attended Gulf Coast State College and Florida State University. Willie later transferred to Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU), where he was a starting wide receiver for the Rangers football. He led the team in catches and helped them win 31 games in a row. In the 1999 NAIA National Championship, helped NWOSU win against Georgetown College, 34-26, after being down 20-0 at halftime.[10][11][12]

Willie began his first head football coaching job at Jefferson County High School in Monticello, Florida. He was recognized as Coach of the Year by several organisations, including the Florida Athletic Coaches Association and the Tallahassee Democrat. After that, he worked as the head football coach for two seasons at Suwannee High School and two seasons at Escambia High School.

During his tow seasons at Escambia High School, Willie led the Yellow Jackets to a record of 14 wins and 8 looses, and they won one district title. In 2014, he was fired by Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas due to his involvement in recruiting violations in Florida High School Athletics.[13][14][15] However, Spears was later cleared of these charges. A few months after his firing, he was hired as a morning show host on Blad TV in Pensacola, Florida, with a positive recommendation from Thomas. That same year, the Bay County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People recognized him for his achievements.[16][17][18] In the following six years, Willie worked at several places, including Florida A&M University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU), Vernon High School in Florida, and G.W. Carver and Bullock County high schools in Alabama.[19][20][21]

In 2020, Willie was the coach for the first football season at Valiant Cross, a school that was established 2015.[22][23]

Speaking

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Willie started speaking and providing professional development services part-time in 2006. He began focusing on his work fill-time in 2020. As the founder of the "Willie Spears Experience", he has worked with various organisations, including The Southern Company, State Farm, and the Allen and Jean Miller Centre in Alberta, Canada.[24]

Willie has appeared on several television networks, including CNN, FOX, HBO, and ESPN, as well as regional stations. He participated in a debate with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN.[25][26]

References

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  1. ↑ Morales, Jaiden (2023-03-17). "Lorain High students hear from award-winning coach, teacher Willie Spears". Morning Journal. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  2. ↑ Rosenberg, Mike. "Nationally-Known Speaker to Highlight Tenacity Challenge on April 27". thebedfordcitizen. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  3. ↑ Telegraph, GREG JORDAN Bluefield Daily (2024-01-25). "Motivational speaker Willie Spears at Bluefield High School". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  4. ↑ Eagle, Enid News & (2021-03-15). "Motivational speaker to present Willie Spears Experience in Enid, Tonkawa". Enidnews.com. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  5. ↑ Griffin, Nick (2024-10-16). "Bethlehem West Baptist Church to host youth rally featuring motivational speaker Willie Spears". The Cullman Tribune. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  6. ↑ "South AL football coach feels Hurricane Michael's wrath". wsfa. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
  7. ↑ report, News Herald staff. "NAACP to honor Panama City native Willie Spears Sunday". Panama City News Herald. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  8. ↑ "Randolph Spears". East Bay Times. 2009-01-29. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  9. ↑ Simmons, Tony. "Local author Willie Spears' children's book examines the life of Hawk Massalina". Panama City News Herald. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  10. ↑ "Willie Spears named this year's AHS commencement speaker". alvareviewcourier. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  11. ↑ PoncaCityNow.com. "Willie Spears to speak at Northern Oklahoma College". PoncaCityNow.com. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  12. ↑ ExpertFile. "Willie D. Spears Jr. Speaker, Author, Teacher, Coach, Story Teller - Expert with The Willie Spears Experience | ExpertFile". expertfile.com. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  13. ↑ Wallace, Eric J. "Former Escambia High football coach Willie Spears sues superintendent Malcolm Thomas". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  14. ↑ Anderson, Jasmine (2016-03-21). "Willie Spears announces he will run for Escambia County Superintendent of Schools". WEAR. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  15. ↑ Kennedy, Emma. "State suspends teaching license of Escambia football coach fired for recruiting violations". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  16. ↑ Sebastianelli, Joel. "Willie Spears leaves Vernon for Carver". wjhg. Retrieved 2017-02-26.
  17. ↑ Rankin, Duane. "Carver pick Spears tells his version of Escambia firing". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  18. ↑ Vilona, Bill. "Former Escambia coach Spears thankful for new venture". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  19. ↑ "Shared testimony leads to athletes joining Team Jesus". Ground News. 2024-11-24. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  20. ↑ "Shared testimony leads to athletes joining Team Jesus". Yahoo Sports. 2023-10-06. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  21. ↑ Stevens, Matthew. "Two-a-days: Carver — First-year coach convinced Wolverines 'primed to have a great season'". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  22. ↑ Toran, Andre. "The prophecy: Valiant Cross and head coach Willie Spears set to face inaugural season". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  23. ↑ "Valiant Cross football practice". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  24. ↑ Joyce, Alex. "Author, motivational speaker stops by Southport Elementary School". wjhg. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
  25. ↑ Experience, The Willie Spears. "The Willie Spears Experience". The Willie Spears Experience. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  26. ↑ "Willie Spears on The Good Good Life | Friday, October 18, 2024". The VoiceAmerica Talk. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
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