Tim Spencer, in his sixth season as the Bears running backs coach, was named to his current position on January 27, 2004. Spencer came to the NFL following 10 seasons of tutoring the ball carriers at his alma mater of the Ohio State University.

Since Spencer has presided at his current position, Bears running backs have led a balanced attack on the ground and through the air. Since 2004, Chicago RBs rank 13th in the NFL with 399 receptions for 2,758 yards. The Bears 8,644 rushing yards over that time ranks tied for 20th in the league.

In 2008, Spencer tutored Matt Fortè who broke franchise rookie records in rushing yards (1,238), yards from scrimmage (1,715) and receptions (63). Fortè finished seventh overall in the NFL in rushing yards in 2008, third in yards from scrimmage and first among running backs in receptions. His 86 total first downs were also tied for the NFL lead. Under Spencer’s guidance, Fortè became one of just eight rookies in NFL history to rush for 1,000-plus yards and record 50-plus receptions and one of eight rookies since 1970 to lead their respective team in rushing yards and receptions. Fortè’s 63 receptions broke the Bears single-season record by a running back, which was established by Thomas Jones in 2004, Spencer’s first season in Chicago

In 2007, Spencer’s unit finished fifth in the NFL with 693 receiving yards on 86 receptions and the Bears were one of 12 teams in the NFL in 2007 that had two players rush for 500 or more yards. Adrian Peterson led the way with 420 receiving yards, fourth-most among NFL running backs, on 51 receptions. In 2006, Spencer’s unit fell less than 100 yards shy of reaching the 2,000 rushing yard mark as a team after topping that milestone in 2005 for the first time in 15 seasons.

Prior to joining the Bears, Spencer was the position coach for Eddie George during his Heisman Trophy-winning season of 1995 and during the Buckeyes national championship season in 2002. He was part of three Big Ten championship teams (1996, 1998, 2003) as a coach at OSU and was part of an offensive attack which led the Big Ten in scoring offense and total offense three of his 10 seasons (1995, 1996, 1998). Including George (twice), he produced 1,000-yard rushers six times during his tenure (Pepe Pearson, Michael Wiley, Jonathan Wells, Maurice Clarett) including George's school single-season record of 1,927 yards in 1995.

A running back at Ohio State from 1979-1982, Spencer was the second player taken in the 1983 USFL draft where he played one year each for Chicago (1983), Arizona (1984) and Memphis (1985) before signing with the San Diego Chargers (1985-90) where he was a four-year starter at fullback. He returned to Ohio State in 1993 after retiring from professional football to finish his degree requirements and was named to John Cooper's coaching staff prior to the 1994 season.

The Buckeyes' starting fullback as a sophomore, he moved to tailback his final two years and led the team in rushing both of those seasons. He closed out his career with 3,553 yards rushing and still ranks third on OSU's all-time rushing list, trailing only Heisman Trophy winners Archie Griffin (5,589) and George (3,768). Spencer was the Buckeyes' co-captain and MVP as a senior. He also was MVP of the 1982 Holiday Bowl, rushing for 167 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes' 47-17 win over Brigham Young. During his four years at Ohio State, the Buckeyes posted a combined record of 38-10 and played in four bowl games, including the 1980 Rose Bowl.

Spencer and his wife, Gilda, have two sons, Cole and Evan.