Robert Spies enters his fourth season as the McPherson head track and field coach in 2018-19. He works primarily with athletes that compete in sprints, hurdles, relays, pole vault and throws.

Spies made his way to McPherson in 2013 and was named head coach in the fall of 2016 after filling the role in an interim capacity for the 2015-2016 season. 

Spies has over 15 years of experience not only coaching cross country and track & field but also in the area of strength and conditioning. During his short time at McPherson, he has coached a national champion, 67 national qualifiers, 27 All-Americans and 68 KCAC champions.

In 2018, Spies guided the men's squad to a second-straight KCAC outdoor title.  The prior year, the 2017 men’s team won the KCAC indoor and outdoor conference titles. During Spies’ first year on the coaching staff the 2014 men’s and women’s teams brought home KCAC outdoor track and field titles. 
 
Having well over 50 school records broken during Spies' time at McPherson College, there have been numerous accomplishments within the Bulldog T&F program.  His athletes have earned numerous All-American honors and Spies coached pole vaulter A.J. Hop to a NAIA national title.  Additionally, Spies has been name KCAC Coach of the year in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Prior to coming to the Bulldogs, Spies spent three years as the head cross country and track and field coach at Bethany (Kan.). While at Bethany, he was responsible for 58 all-conference performers, nine KCAC champions, eight NAIA national qualifiers, and two All-Americans. Spies' athletes also broke 10 school records.

Before Bethany, Spies directed the cross country and track and field programs at Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College where he coached 36 all-conference athletes who broke 35 school records. He coached 9 national qualifiers and 3 All-Americans while at FSCC.

Prior to Fort Scott, Spies served as a Pittsburg State (Kan.) sprints and relays coach and was active in the development of three school record-breaking athletes, 10 NCAA Division II national qualifiers, eight All-Americans and one national runner-up in the 100-meter dash.  

Before Pittsburgh State, Spies worked at Virginia Military Institute and was involved in strength and conditioning, coaching multi-sport athletes on proper lifting techniques and program progression.

Spies attended Fort Hays State (Kan.), where he was ranked 14th in the world in the 60-meter dash, clocking a time of 6.57 seconds during his senior year. He was a multiple-time NCAA All-American and has competed at the USA National Championship level. 

Spies completed a Bachelor's degree in childhood development with a minor in recreation from Pittsburg State. He earned a Master's degree in human health performance and recreation with an emphasis in sport and leisure management.

Robert and his wife, Ermelinda, also a McPherson track and field coach, have two children, Davian and Sofia.