TWSE team
Willie Spears - Owner/Speaker
Meet Coach Spears
Willie Spears is a critically acclaimed keynote speaker, author, evangelist, and award-winning teacher and coach. Coach Spears has excited audiences with his energetic, relatable, and educational presentations. Through his social media presence including one video that has reached over 10 million views, weekly editorial, and eighteen books, Coach has become one of the country’s most sought-after speakers.
As founder of The Willie Spears Experience, Willie has added value to several successful organizations including The Southern Company, State Farm, Allen and Jean Millar Center in Alberta, Canada and hundreds of universities, schools, teams, and churches. Willie has been featured on CNN, FOX, HBO, ESPN, and several regional television stations.
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Coach's Journey
Willie has lived a most interesting life and uses his experiences to help others. Before earning a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in education he grew up playing sports, going to church, and dabbling in entertainment.
Willie has coached at the NCAA Division One and Division Two level, was Athletic Director of three high schools and Head Football Coach of seven high schools. Before becoming a coach, he worked for Disney Cruise Line as a comedian and entertainer.
He volunteers for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
His strategies and principles have turned around schools and communities. His twenty years in education has served as prerequisites to motivate, inspire, and remind educators of their value and significance.
His time with Disney has given him great perspective on how successful business grow and flourish. Willie has a team of researchers who aide him in preparing tailored presentations for Fortune 500 companies as well as small businesses.
Willie’s life experiences have uniquely gifted him to relate to any audience. These life experiences combined with his gift of storytelling have audiences walking away inspired, encouraged, and empowered to improve and impact others in a positive way.
Crystal Mills
Crystal Mills manages and coordinates the operations of The Willie Spears Experience. She resides in Arcadia, Oklahoma with her husband, Denny, and their three children Cole, Jace and Ella.
TWSE Awards & Honors
2025
Tom Landry Legacy Award FCA
2023
Honorary Doctorate of Humanities
2022
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Upsilon Alpha Alpha Chapter
Founder's Day Program Community Service Award
2017
"Celebrating 50 Years of Integration"
First African American Athletic Director/First African American Head Football Coach in the History of the County (Washington County)
2016
Judos Community Service Award
2015
Rookie Teacher of the Year (Vernon High School)
2014
Honored by the NAACP (Panama City, FL)
Featured in African American Cultural Center (Panama City, FL)
2013
District 1 Class 6A Coach of the Year, Florida Athletic Coaches Association (Escambia High)
Teacher of the Year finalist in local school (Escambia High)
Florida Athletic Coaches Association Regional Coach of The Year
2012
Teacher of the Year finalist in local school (Escambia High)
2009
Hall of Fame NWOSU as Members of 1999 National Championship Team
Big Bend Coach of The Year (Tallahassee Democrat)
Florida Athletic Coaches Association Regional Coach of The Year
4quartersonline.com Coach of The Year
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