In 2021, under first-season head coach John Kelling, longtime LHU assistant coach Chris Sprague will serve as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
Last season (2019), he returned to The Haven after a short stint away. He was the team’s defensive line coach.
Under Sprague’s leadership in 2019, the defensive line helped pave the way for a defensive unit that pressured opponents into throwing 11 interceptions. The Bald Eagles recorded 37 tackles for loss and nine sacks last season in 2019.
Upon his return to Lock Haven, Sprague was no stranger to LHU football as he previously served as an assistant coach in some capacity or another at The Haven for nearly two decades. From 1997 to 2014 at Lock Haven, he held positions of defensive line coach, offensive line coach, special team's coordinator, linebackers coach and during his final four seasons at LHU (2011-14) he held the title of assistant head coach.
After the 2014 season, Sprague joined the coaching staff at Delaware State and served as the offensive line coach and run-game coordinator for three seasons from 2015-2017.
Early in this coaching career, the Ithaca College graduate ('88), worked on the coaching staff at Division I Penn State (defensive consultant, 1994-96) and he was a graduate assistant coach at James Madison.
Since 1997, Sprague has led 27 players to All-Conference honors and three standouts to All-American status.
Also a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Sprague was four-year letter-winner and three-year starter at Ithaca. He helped lead the team to a 1988 NCAA Division II National Championship.
