Former All-Big Ten Boilermaker linebacker Brock Spack’s defense gets better and better each year, and people are beginning to take notice. The Sporting News recently named Spack the Big Ten’s best defensive coordinator, and he is certainly worthy of the high praise.

Last year, Spack’s defense allowed just 317.2 yards per game, the lowest output of any of his previous Purdue defenses. The Boilermakers ranked first in the Big Ten and the 20th nationally in total defense last season.

But the success wasn’t a one-year aberration. The Boilermaker ‘D’ has been one of the Big Ten’s stingiest each of the previous three seasons. Purdue ranked third in total defense, rushing defense and passing defense in both 2000 and 2001 and fourth in rushing defense, fifth in passing defense and first in total defense in 2002. The Boilers were also fifth in scoring defense in 2000 (22.2) and 2002 (22.2) and fourth in 2001 (23.2). The Boilermakers also ranked second in 2000 and fifth, in 2001 and 2002 in sacks.

Over the last six seasons, Purdue has scored 18 defensive touchdowns (10 via fumble returns and eight on interceptions). Despite ranking second-to-last in the Big Ten last year in turnover margin (-0.77), Spack’s Boilermakers have averaged more than 30 takeaways per year.

Spack, entering his seventh season under Tiller at Purdue, has had 11 Boilermaker defensive players go on to the NFL: Rosevelt Colvin, Billy Gustin, Chike Okeafor, Chukie Nwokorie and John Reeves in 1999; Michael Hawthorne and David Nugent in 2000; Akin Ayodele, Matt Mitrione and Ashante Woodyard in 2002; and Joe Odom in 2003.

Spack came to Purdue after serving as the defensive coordinator at Wyoming from 1995-96. He recharged the Cowboy defense, which improved from fifth to second in the WAC in total defense and improved to 32nd in the NCAA in pass defense (first in the WAC) his first campaign. The Cowboys led the nation in takeaways in 1996 with 36 and were the WAC leader in quarterback sacks both years, including a record 46 in 1996.

The Cowboys’ three linebackers had outstanding campaigns in 1996. Each had 100-plus tackles, led by Jim Talich’s 138.

Prior to that, he served as Purdue’s linebackers coach from 1991-94 when he coached All-Big Ten linebacker Jim Schwantz. Later, Schwantz was a 1996 Pro Bowl pick and a key member of the Dallas Cowboys’ most recent Super Bowl championship team.

Spack also was a graduate assistant at Purdue in 1984-85 under Tiller, who was Purdue’s defensive coordinator from 1983-86.

Spack was an assistant coach at Wabash College (defensive line and strength coach) in 1986, and at Eastern Illinois (linebackers, defensive line and recruiting coordinator) from 1987-90.

Spack earned his undergraduate degree in 1984 in humanities before going to Eastern Illinois to receive his master’s in physical education in 1990. Spack was a three-year starter, All-Big Ten and honorable mention All-American as a senior. He is fifth all-time at Purdue in tackles with 384. Spack played professional football for the Cowboys in 1984.

He and his wife, Aimee, have two children, Alicia and Brent.