Stepping completely outside the program, Mifflin County on Thursday night at its monthly school board meeting appointed 41-year-old northeast Ohio native Shane Spencer as its new boys’ basketball coach.
A native of Vermillion, Ohio, Spencer coached two seasons at Strongsville High School in suburban Cleveland and six in the highly regarding Ohio Red AAU program before relocating his family to central Pennsylvania.
Spencer works just outside Lewistown at Jarden Plastic Solutions in Reedsville, where he’s employed as vice president of operations.
Spencer succeeds veteran skipper Aaron Gingrich, who stepped down last month after three seasons at the Mifflin County helm (37-34) to spend more time with his wife and young daughters.
Gingrich, an attorney, also serves as a magisterial district judge.
Gingrich also coached 13 seasons at Lewistown before that school was consolidated with Indian Valley prior to the 2011-12 school year. In his 16 seasons at Lewistown and Mifflin County, Gingrich compiled a 235-172 record and guided five teams to the PIAA state tournament.
Ironically, Spencer will coach against his son at least twice during the 2014-2015 campaign. Colin Spencer will be a senior in the transitioning State College program now fronted by former Mount Nittany Junior High coach Joe Walker.
Walker was hired last month to succeed Drew Frank, who resigned after 18 seasons.
Spencer's appointment leaves East Juniata as the lone school in the PennLive coverage area searching for a basketball coach. Brock Anders spent six seasons on the EJ bench, piloting the Tigers to a 76-59 record, one Tri-Valley League title and four District 4-AA playoff appearances.
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