Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Football
Jason Spray
- Title:
- Head Football Strength Coach
- Email:
- jason.spray@mtsu.edu
Updated June 4, 2017
Jason Spray has climbed the ladder of success rapidly since his collegiate playing career at Middle Tennessee, and he continues to exemplify the tremendous work ethic that made him a decorated gridiron standout for the Blue Raiders. Spray was elevated to head football strength coach in January 2012.
Since 2012, Spray has helped mold 24 players to make an NFL training camp, 40 all-conference players, four freshmen all-American’s and nine who were voted to the All-Freshman team.
Spray, who was voted the NCSA Assistant Strength Coach of the Year in 2011, is in his 12th season working in the Blue Raider strength and conditioning program. For seven years, Spray served as the head men’s basketball strength and conditioning coach and was the primary assistant in football.
Spray is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. He is also certified as a strength and conditioning specialist by the NSCA and the CSCCA, and is certified by the National Association of Speed and Explosion. Spray is also certified by USA Weightlifting as a club performance coach and is certified as a sports nutritionist through the International Fitness Professional Association.
The Murfreesboro native also works with various professional athletes during the offseason. Spray’s specialty is in plyometrics, which focuses on movements, explosion and flexibility rather than just muscle mass. The professional players like the emphasis.
Spray, who is also an expert contributor for Stack Magazine and Premier Players Magazine, is a graduate of Middle Tennessee where he was a three-year starter for the Blue Raider football team. He was named the 2000 Lifter of the Year, as voted on by his teammates.
Spray played on the first Division I-A football team at Middle Tennessee in 1999 and was the starting fullback in 2001, when the Blue Raiders posted an 8-3 record and tied for the Sun Belt Conference championship – also a first in the Division I-A era. The durable and hard-working Spray played in 32 career games at MTSU. He was named co-captain of the 2001 Sun Belt Championship team.
Spray earned his bachelor of science in May 2002 and his master of science in 2005. Spray is married to the former Karisse Baker and the couple has two sons, Jason Jr. and Jaxon.
THE SPRAY FILE
MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Season at MT: 13th
Date Hired: October 13, 2005
PERSONAL
Birthdate: July 17, 1978
Hometown: Murfreesboro, TN
Spouse: the former Karisse Baker
Children: Jason Jr and Jaxon
EDUCATION
High School: Oakland
College: MT, B.S., 2002; master’s, 2005
EXPERIENCE
2002-04: MT Graduate Assistant
2005-06: MT Assistant Strength Coach
2007-2011: MT Associate Strength Coach
2012-Present: MT Head Football Strength Coach
BOWL EXPERIENCE
2006: Motor City Bowl
2009: New Orleans Bowl
2011: GoDaddy.com Bowl
2013: Armed Forces Bowl
2015: Popeyes Bahamas Bowl
2016: Hawai'i Bowl
Jason Spray has climbed the ladder of success rapidly since his collegiate playing career at Middle Tennessee, and he continues to exemplify the tremendous work ethic that made him a decorated gridiron standout for the Blue Raiders. Spray was elevated to head football strength coach in January 2012.
Since 2012, Spray has helped mold 24 players to make an NFL training camp, 40 all-conference players, four freshmen all-American’s and nine who were voted to the All-Freshman team.
Spray, who was voted the NCSA Assistant Strength Coach of the Year in 2011, is in his 12th season working in the Blue Raider strength and conditioning program. For seven years, Spray served as the head men’s basketball strength and conditioning coach and was the primary assistant in football.
Spray is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. He is also certified as a strength and conditioning specialist by the NSCA and the CSCCA, and is certified by the National Association of Speed and Explosion. Spray is also certified by USA Weightlifting as a club performance coach and is certified as a sports nutritionist through the International Fitness Professional Association.
The Murfreesboro native also works with various professional athletes during the offseason. Spray’s specialty is in plyometrics, which focuses on movements, explosion and flexibility rather than just muscle mass. The professional players like the emphasis.
Spray, who is also an expert contributor for Stack Magazine and Premier Players Magazine, is a graduate of Middle Tennessee where he was a three-year starter for the Blue Raider football team. He was named the 2000 Lifter of the Year, as voted on by his teammates.
Spray played on the first Division I-A football team at Middle Tennessee in 1999 and was the starting fullback in 2001, when the Blue Raiders posted an 8-3 record and tied for the Sun Belt Conference championship – also a first in the Division I-A era. The durable and hard-working Spray played in 32 career games at MTSU. He was named co-captain of the 2001 Sun Belt Championship team.
Spray earned his bachelor of science in May 2002 and his master of science in 2005. Spray is married to the former Karisse Baker and the couple has two sons, Jason Jr. and Jaxon.
THE SPRAY FILE
MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Season at MT: 13th
Date Hired: October 13, 2005
PERSONAL
Birthdate: July 17, 1978
Hometown: Murfreesboro, TN
Spouse: the former Karisse Baker
Children: Jason Jr and Jaxon
EDUCATION
High School: Oakland
College: MT, B.S., 2002; master’s, 2005
EXPERIENCE
2002-04: MT Graduate Assistant
2005-06: MT Assistant Strength Coach
2007-2011: MT Associate Strength Coach
2012-Present: MT Head Football Strength Coach
BOWL EXPERIENCE
2006: Motor City Bowl
2009: New Orleans Bowl
2011: GoDaddy.com Bowl
2013: Armed Forces Bowl
2015: Popeyes Bahamas Bowl
2016: Hawai'i Bowl
MTSU Football Signing Day Press Conference 1/3/25
Wednesday, December 03
MTSU Football at New Mexico State post-game press conference – 11/29/25
Sunday, November 30
MTSU Football at New Mexico State post-game press conference – 11/29/25
Saturday, November 29
Raider Report Game 12 - MTSU vs. New Mexico State University
Friday, November 28
