July 14, 2000

Associated Press

DURHAM, N.C. - Phil Spence, a longtime Wake County high school coach and member of North Carolina State's 1974 NCAA title team, on Friday was selected as the new head coach at North Carolina Central.

Spence, 46, replaces Greg Jackson, who left in May after nine seasons as head coach of the Division II Eagles to take the same job at Division I Delaware State.

Spence coached the East Wake varsity team from 1989 to 1999, leading the Warriors to the 1991 4-A state finals in 1991. Before East Wake, Spence coached at Cary for 10 seasons, with the last six as the varsity coach.

This past year Spence was career development coordinator at Longview School in Raleigh.

Spence played from 1973 to 1976 for the Wolfpack, averaging 13.1 points and 9.1 rebounds during his senior season.