Spencer departs UMary for coaching position at UCCS

Tanner Spencer (Craik, Sask.) has resigned from his position as head coach at the University of Mary to take a coaching position at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). Photo: UMary Athletics

June 10, 2026

By Brian Larson

UMary Communications

BISMARCK, N.D. – After seven seasons leading the Marauders, University of Mary Head Baseball Coach Tanner Spencer (Craik, Sask.) has resigned to accept a coaching position at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), an opportunity that allows him and his family to return closer to home.

"Tanner has had a tremendous impact on Marauders baseball and on the lives of the scholar-athletes he has coached during his tenure at the University of Mary," said UMary Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Marcus Wagner. "He leaves our program in a stronger position than he found it, and for that we are deeply grateful. While we will certainly miss Tanner and the energy he brought to our program every day, we are excited for him, his wife, and their family as he will have the opportunity to continue coaching at a high level while returning to be closer to family that are important to them. Opportunities like this are special, and we are happy for the Spencers as they take this next step together.

"On behalf of the University of Mary, I want to thank Tanner for his service and commitment to our scholar-athletes and wish him, his family, and the UCCS program nothing but success moving forward."

During his seven seasons at UMary, Spencer helped elevate the Marauders baseball program to unprecedented success, culminating in a record-setting 2026 campaign.

The 2026 Northern Sun Coach of the Year, Spencer led the Marauders to a school-record 37 wins this season. UMary finished third in the conference during the regular season and also claimed third place in the league tournament while winning NSIC playoff games for the first time. The NSIC regular-season and tournament finishes are also program bests.

Other firsts for the Marauders in 2026 included receiving votes in the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) NCAA Division II national poll and earning a spot in the NCAA Central Region regular season rankings.

Five Marauders earned All-NSIC honors and three claimed NCAA All-Central Region accolades in 2026, both program bests. Additionally, the Marauders boasted an All-American for a second straight season.

UMary baseball posted a 3.40 grade point average for the spring with 23 players earning NSIC all-academic honours and five garnering CSC Academic All-Region recognition.

Spencer closes his UMary career as the Marauders' all-time leader in coaching wins with a record of 155-155 overall and 116-100 in the NSIC. He directed the Marauders to the only five NSIC tournament appearances in program history.

Since taking over the Marauders program prior to the 2020 season, Spencer has coached two All-Americans, seven All-Region performers, 18 All-Northern Sun selections, one NSIC Player of the Year, two NSIC Freshmen of the Year, five NSIC Players of the Week, eight NSIC Pitchers of the Week, two regional players of the week, one regional pitcher of the week, one national pitcher of the week, two NSIC all-tournament players, one NSIC Preseason Player of the Year, 91 NSIC All-Academic players, 13 NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic Award recipients, two CoSIDA/CSC Academic All-Americans and 10 CoSIDA/CSC Academic All-District players.

The search for the next Marauders head coach is underway.