WACO, Texas — Appalachian State University defensive ends coach and recruiting coordinator Mark Speir has been named the 2009 NCAA Division I FCS Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association, the organization announced on Wednesday.

In his seventh season at ASU, Speir has coached the Mountaineers' running backs (2003-04), defensive line (2005-08) and defensive ends (2009-), as well as serving as the program's recruiting coordinator since 2004. Four of his pupils (ends Jason Hunter, Marques Murrell and Gary Tharrington and tackle Anthony Williams) have earned all-America recognition a total of five times and he has coached multiple all-Southern Conference honorees each of the past three seasons, including Murrell, the 2006 SoCon Defensive Player of the Year. Hunter (Detroit Lions) and Murrell (New York Jets) are now enjoying successful NFL careers.

Off the field, Speir is involved in many charitible causes. Most notably, he raised nearly $30,000 to help rebuild the Christian Mission Hospital in Bangladesh by training for and participating in the 2008 Music City Marathon, which he finished in 4:01, and the 2009 Boston Marathon, which he completed in 3:59. Last summer, he traveled to Bangladesh to provide much needed medical supplies and volunteer at the hospital for 10 days.

He has also helped raise over $45,000 to provide athletics facilities for High Country youth and volunteered as a part of Boone's annual Celebrity Serve fundraising efforts.

The criteria for the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year award is not limited to on-field coaching ability or the success of the coach's team and players but also service to the community through charitable work and other volunteer activities, participation in AFCA activities and events, participation in other professional organizations and impact on student-athletes.

As the winner of the FCS Assistant Coach of the Year award, Speir will receive a plaque to commemorate the award and an educational stipend to attend the 2011 AFCA Convention or another professional development clinic/convention of his choice. He will be honored at the AFCA Kickoff Luncheon on Monday, January 11 at the 2010 AFCA Convention in Orlando, Fla.