ABILENE, TX - McMurry University has named Sam Spieler as head coach of its dance and spirit programs, adding an experienced collegiate coach and educator to lead the War Hawks in performance, recruitment and program development.
Sam Spieler brings more than 14 years of teaching and program leadership experience to the role. Since July 2020, she has served as head coach for dance and spirit program management at Hardin-Simmons University, where her responsibilities have included choreography for athletic and campus events, recruiting, competition preparation, academic monitoring and eligibility oversight, team culture development, fundraising and clinic development, event and travel coordination, and hosting competitions and camps. She also has worked as an adjunct dance and kinesiology instructor since 2022, adding classroom experience to her background in team leadership.
Her previous collegiate and educational experience includes time as cheer and dance coach and adjunct instructor at Wayland Baptist University from July 2014 to August 2020. Before that, she worked as a dance teacher for Amarillo Independent School District, studio director and instructor at Lone Star Dance Academy and Lone Star Ballet, a swing and ensemble dancer with Texas Musical Drama, and a dance instructor at West Texas A&M Dance Academy. That mix of coaching, teaching and performance experience gives McMurry a leader with a broad understanding of both technical instruction and the day-to-day demands of building a successful spirit program.
Athletic Director, Susan Decker on Spieler's hiring, "I'm excited to welcome Samantha to the McMurry family. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the dance program and will continue to grow the program through all of her connections across the country. Her dedication and commitment to the success of student athletes is why she is a great hire for McMurry."
Sam Spieler also brings a strong academic and professional credential profile. She holds a Master of Education in sports administration and management from Wayland Baptist University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from West Texas A&M University. Her certifications include AACCA Spirit Safety, CPR and AED, NDCA judges training, TExES physical education EC-12 and TExES dance 6-12, along with additional professional licensure. Her background also includes overseeing study hall, tutorials and grade monitoring for student‑athletes, experience that aligns with the expectations of supporting student-athletes both on the floor and in the classroom.
Competitive success has followed her programs throughout her career, including multiple ADTS and DTU national and regional placements from 2006 through 2025. Among the most notable results was a first-place finish in the ADTS College Nationals Division III Open Division with the Hardin-Simmons dance team in 2025. At McMurry, she is expected to guide the continued growth of the War Hawks dance and spirit programs through strong instruction, competitive preparation and a culture that supports performance, academics and campus engagement.
