Spencer Danielson (born November 2, 1988)[1] is an American college football coach. He is the head football coach at Boise State University, a position he has held since midway through the 2023 season.[2] Danielson previously served as an assistant coach at Boise State and Azusa Pacific University. Danielson played college football as a linebacker at the University of San Diego in 2008 and at Azusa Pacific from 2009 to 2011.
| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Head coach |
| Team | Boise State |
| Conference | MW |
| Record | 16–2 |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | November 2, 1988 Solana Beach, California, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 2008 | San Diego |
| 2009–2011 | Azusa Pacific |
| Position(s) | Linebacker |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 2013 | Azusa Pacific (GA) |
| 2014–2016 | Azusa Pacific (LB) |
| 2017 | Boise State (GA) |
| 2018 | Boise State (DE) |
| 2019–2020 | Boise State (co-DC/DL) |
| 2021–2023 | Boise State (DC/ILB) |
| 2023–present | Boise State |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 15–2 |
| Bowls | 0–1 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 2 MW (2023, 2024) | |
| Awards | |
Early life and education
editDanielson began his college football career at the University of San Diego as a linebacker in 2009. He then transferred to Azusa Pacific University, where he played from 2010 to 2012. While at Azusa Pacific, Danielson earned his bachelor's degree and master's degree in business administration.
Coaching career
editAssistant coaching
editAzusa Pacific
editIn 2013, Danielson began his coaching career at Azusa Pacific as a graduate assistant under head coach Victor Santa Cruz. In 2014, he was promoted to linebackers coach.
Boise State
editIn 2017, Danielson joined the Boise State Broncos football coaching staff as a graduate assistant. In that role he worked with the stand-up defensive linemen, and continued to do so in 2018 after being promoted to a full-time defensive assistant.[3][4] He was promoted to defensive line coach in 2019, succeeding Chad Kauhaʻahaʻa.[5] When head coach Bryan Harsin departed after the 2021 season to become the head coach at Auburn, Danielson briefly served as interim head coach until Andy Avalos was hired as the permanent coach. Danielson declined a job with Harsin at Auburn to remain with Avalos as defensive coordinator.[6]
On November 12, 2023, Danielson was named interim head coach after head coach Andy Avalos was fired.[7] On December 3, 2023, he was named the 12th head football coach at Boise State.[8]
Personal life
editDanielson is a Christian.[9] He married Raechel Jones, a fellow Azusa Pacific alum and college volleyball player, in 2015. They have two daughters.[10]
Head coaching record
edit| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise State Broncos (Mountain West Conference) (2023–present) | |||||||||
| 2023 | Boise State | 3–1[a] | 2–0 | T–1st | L LA | ||||
| 2024 | Boise State | 12–1 | 8–0 | 1st | Fiesta† | ||||
| Boise State: | 16–2 | 10–0 | |||||||
| Total: | 16–2 | ||||||||
| National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth | |||||||||
- ^ Danielson replaced Avalos with two games remaining
References
edit- ^ "Spencer Danielson - Football". University of San Diego Athletics. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ Counts, Ron (November 12, 2023). "Boise State makes coaching change, firing Andy Avalos with two games remaining". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ Rains, B. J. (January 10, 2021). "Notebook: Spencer Danielson to remain at Boise State under Avalos". Idaho Press. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ Counts, Ron (November 10, 2020). "Injuries, COVID-19 left Boise State STUD Sam Whitney to ponder his football career". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ Tust, Jay (January 18, 2019). "Boise State announces major coaching staff shake-ups, including a new hire". KTVB. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ Ramey, Devin (January 12, 2021). "Boise State assistant coach Spencer Danielson promoted to defensive coordinator under head coach Andy Avalos". KTVB. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ Fornelli, Tom (November 12, 2023). "Boise State to fire Andy Avalos: Broncos set to move on from coach amid 5-5 record in 2023 season, per report". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ Thamel, Pete (December 3, 2023). "Boise State names interim Spencer Danielson new head coach". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
- ^ Doering, Joshua. "Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson giving Jesus 'all the glory' as Broncos roll". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
- ^ "Spencer Danielson - Football Coach". Boise State University Athletics. Retrieved November 13, 2023.