Introducing new assistant coach Spencer Allen!

With the departure of assistant coach Eric Snider, the Illinois Baseball program didn’t waste time in finding a replacement to fill the coaching ranks.  They’ve landed Spencer Allen who comes most recently from Creighton University’s coaching staff.  Allen also has ties to the Big Ten having coached with Purdue a couple years.  Coach Allen has the official title of Assistant Coach for the Illinois baseball team.

Allen can claim considerable success in his recent stint with Creighton.  Overall, the Bluejays went 62-35-1 with Allen as Assistant Coach.  In 2013, they placed third in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 13-8 conference record.  The following,  they took the BIG EAST by surprise winning the conference in their initial year in the conference with a 32-17-1 record. 

Illini baseball fans know that former Illinois coach Snider was a formidable recruiter.  While no one expects Coach Allen to fill Snider’s shoes immediately, he does bring some scouting skills to the table.  He acted as an area scout for the Detroit Tigers and helped them recruit talent for their organization.

Coach Hartleb says:

"I am extremely excited about the addition of Spencer Allen to our coaching staff.  Spencer has a proven track record of being one of the top recruiters in the Midwest. He has great experience and is well-respected by his peers as a recruiter and an on-the-field coach. Spencer will continue to help us bring in quality players that allow us to compete at the national level. Spencer brings a great work ethic with high energy and impeccable integrity."

Coach Allen says:

"I am very excited to be a part of the Illinois baseball program, this coaching staff and the athletic department.  I am very familiar with this program and the success it has had recently and in its rich history. I look forward to meeting with the players and getting things going once I get on campus."

Spencer Allen hails from Olympia, Washington and attended Iowa State University where he was named an All-Big 12 Academic selection and served as team captain in his final year. 

You can read Coach Spencer Allen’s bio on the Fighting Illini’s website.  Welcome aboard, Coach Allen!