A long-time assistant coach for the Plattsburgh State men's soccer team, Geoff Spear enters his third year as the goalkeeping coach for the Plattsburgh State women's soccer team in 2021.
During his first year working with the Plattsburgh State women's soccer team, he led graduate student goalkeeper Taylor Adams to Second-Team All-State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) honors, as Adams fashioned a 1.00 goals-against average and a .858 save percentage while posting eight shutouts.
Spear developed men's soccer's Zach Manning and John San Filippo into All-SUNYAC goalies during four years from 2005-08. San Filippo led SUNYAC and ranked 16th in NCAA Division III with a 0.53 goals-against average en route to all-region accolades in 2006, and then he led the nation with 0.20 GAA while making the 2007 D3kicks All-America Second Team. He wrapped up his career holding several school records and earned the 2008 Huntley Parker Award as the SUNYAC's top player. In 2005, Manning finished in the SUNYAC top four in GAA, minutes played and save percentage while earning all-conference and SUNYAC tournament MVP honors for the first time en route to the Cardinals' first NCAA Final Four appearance.
During his first tour of duty at Plattsburgh State, Spear was an assistant to Waterbury from 1994-97, helping the Cardinals to a 61-14-2 mark during that span. Then Spear left for Paul Smith's (N.Y.) College in 1998 before he returned to his alma mater for the start of the 2000 season.
Spear had a 14-15-2 record in two years at Paul Smith's as the Bobcats' men's coach and soccer coordinator. Before his first stint at Plattsburgh State, Spear was a men's soccer assistant coach at perennial power Connecticut from 1990-94, serving in all aspects of recruiting and training of a NCAA Division I program.
Spear was also the women's soccer coach at Clinton Community College in 1988 and posted a 7-7 record. In 1989, he led the men's team to a 10-5-1 record and a junior college regional playoff berth.
In addition to coaching, Spear has served as a state evaluator for the Olympic Development Program from 1996 to 1998. He holds an Advanced National Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and a Level B coaching license from the U.S. Soccer Federation.
After his Plattsburgh graduation in 1985, Spear earned a master's degree in physical education from Springfield (Mass.) College.
