Earlham College Men's Football

Johnson enters his second year as head football coach at Earlham College in 2016. Johnson earned Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Coach of the Year honors in his first season leading the Quakers. Under his guidance, Jalen Kenner earned Special Teams Most Valuable Player as well as setting numerous program records including career receptions, reception yards, consecutive games with a reception, and all-purpose yards. The Fort Wayne, Ind., native was an assistant coach for the Quakers in football from 2003-12, serving the last five years as the defensive coordinator. He also served as Earlham's head track coach for 12 years prior to moving back to the football program. A 2001 graduate of Earlham College, Johnson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Human Development and Social Relations. He served as the Quakers' assistant track and cross country coach prior to 2004. As an athlete for the Quakers, he was a four-year letterman in both football and track. As a defensive lineman Johnson shares an Earlham football record with four quarterback sacks in a single game and led the team in sacks as a senior with nine. In addition to his coaching duties, Johnson serves as assistant professor in the Athletic and Wellness program. Nick is the faculty adviser for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  Nick and his wife Melissa reside in Richmond with their daughter Jayden and son Jacob.

Piper enters his 17th season with the Earlham football staff in 2016. In 2005, he coached a running back to Earlhams single season rushing record. Hes a native of DeRidder, Louisiana, where he played running back and defensive back.   Piper resides in Richmond.

Lee enters his third year as defensive coordinator for the Earlham football program in 2016. He coached Lajay Kelly to Second Team All-Heartland Collegiate Atheltic Conference (HCAC) honors in 2015. Kelly tallied 97 tackles to lead the Quakers. He also led all of NCAA Division III in blocked kicks with seven. Ishmael MacNeil garnered Honorable Mention All-HCAC honors with 96 tackles. Lee coached three honorable mention All-HCAC performers in 2014.  Prior to coming to Earlham, Lee spent the last two years at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He worked with the running backs in 2012 and the defensive line in 2013. Before his time at Miami, Lee served as an assistant coach at Valparaiso University, Eastern Michigan University and Butler University. He has also done a summer internship with the Chicago Bears and coached at Centennial High School in Corona, California. Lee played three seasons at Illinois State University after graduating from Gary West High School. He graduated from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) in 1990 with a degree in supervision. He earned his Masters in 1993 from National University in San Diego. He resides in Oxford.  

Spurgeon comes to Earlham from the University of Indianapolis where he spent the 2015 season as an assistant coach for outside linebackers. Spurgeon also aided film breakdown and data entry on the defensive side of the ball along with coordinating offensive and punt return scout teams. Before U-Indy, Spurgeon spent two seasons as an assistant coach at DePauw University. He served the Tigers as assistant director of football operations and outside linebackers coach in 2014 while coaching running backs in 2013. Spurgeon coordinated special team and defensive scout teams both years at Depauw. He has coached three All-Conference players in three years of collegiate coaching. Spurgeon graduated from Indiana University in 2013 with a degree in criminal justice. He resides in Richmond.