After weeks of preparation, Spencer Danielson sat next to James Franklin one day before their teams were set to compete against each other.
The Boise State and Penn State head coaches were holding a joint press conference in the lead up to the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve as part of the College Football Playoff. The event began with a question to Danielson about his program’s history in the Fiesta Bowl.
As he often does, Danielson didn’t answer the question directly initially.
“Obviously so excited to be here. Appreciate all your guys’ time,” Danielson said to the media. “Thank you, Jesus, for another day of life and another opportunity. We’re so blessed to be able to play this game and impact these kids every single day.”
Here’s more about Danielson’s Christian background.
Is Spencer Danielson Christian?
Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson is a Christian. He attended and played at Azusa Pacific, a private Christian college in Azusa, California.
He attained bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration there. From 2009-12, Danielson tallied 190 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and five interceptions.
“My faith is a big part of it,” Danielson said. “My relationship with Jesus is everything. It’s my foundation.”
Boise State Head Coach Spencer Danielson’s Background
Danielson became Boise State’s interim head coach late during the 2023 season before this year.
The Broncos’ defense was one of the best units in the country with Danielson at defensive coordinator. In 2022, the Broncos allowed the sixth-fewest yards in the FBS (281.5 per game) and the 11th-fewest points (18.5). The season before, they allowed the 12th-fewest points (19 per game).
Danielson has led Boise State to two Mountain West Championships. The Broncos played in the LA Bowl last year and will appear in the College Football Playoff and Fiesta Bowl this season.
Danielson was a positional coach at Boise State before being promoted to DC. From 2013-16, he coached at his alma mater, Azusa Pacific. He was a linebackers coach and a recruiting coordinator there.
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Boise State Head Coach Spencer Danielson On His Christian Faith
Here’s what Danielson said recently after being asked about his faith:
“Yeah, it’s something that I’m very open about,” he said. “I really do believe that the only reason I’m the head coach here is that Jesus put me here to develop people. People might not like that I say that, but I truly do believe that. And everything I focus on is developing these young men for life. That doesn’t mean that there’s not a driving passion with every single game we play.
“I mean, it says in the Bible: Run the race to win, and that’s in everything you do in life. And that’s my message to our players. In life, you can’t take losses. If you take too many losses as a husband, you will get a divorce. If you take too many losses as a father, your kids aren’t going to want to be around you.
“But it’s all about developing these young men for life. I know the more you develop them as men of character, men of integrity, men of discipline, and so forth, they will make the right decision on fourth down when the game is on the line, but that’s a byproduct of developing them as people. That’s something I’m very passionate about. There are still so many things that I’m excited to, as a head coach, to learn and grow in, but my drive and passion to impact these people – these young men for life, long after football is over, that will never change.”
