Meet Boise State coach Spencer Danielson: From unknown to brink of CFP history

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Spencer Danielson’s first encounter with Boise State football was one that many fans remember: the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.https://wordpress.com/

At the time, Danielson was a high school senior in Southern California, watching with his father as the Broncos pulled off a stunning upset against Oklahoma. The game featured iconic moments like the last-minute hook-and-lateral play, the Statue of Liberty handoff in overtime, and running back Ian Johnson’s memorable post-game proposal.

Little did Danielson know that a decade later, he would join the same program as a graduate assistant, and seven years after that, become its head coach. But that game left a lasting impression on him.

“I didn’t know much about Boise State football or its tradition, but I was blown away by that game,” Danielson recalled. “Those moments really put Boise State on the map.”

Boise State’s remarkable record in the Fiesta Bowl, which includes wins in 2007, 2010, and 2014, stands as a testament to the program’s growth since it moved to the FBS level in 1996. Now, at 36, Danielson has returned the Broncos to the Fiesta Bowl for the 2024 season in his first full year as head coach — an opportunity that reflects the school’s enduring legacy.

The Broncos, ranked No. 3 with a 12-1 record, will face No. 6 Penn State (12-2) for the first time in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff. This matchup represents a fitting continuation of Boise State’s history as an underdog giant killer, and this season, they’ve reestablished themselves as contenders, earning a Group of 5 playoff spot from the Mountain West and a first-round bye.

However, this resurgence hasn’t come easily. After the 2014 Fiesta Bowl, Boise State’s performance had dipped, with the team posting a 7-5 record in 2021 and 8-6 in 2023 — seasons that fell short of the expectations set by the program’s past.

“We weren’t bad, but we were just a middle-of-the-road team,” said offensive lineman Ben Dooley, who has been with the Broncos since 2019. “That’s not good enough for Boise State.”

The 2024 season has brought a remarkable turnaround, thanks in part to the star power of Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty and a reinvigorated team that’s made the most of the expanded Playoff format. For the first time, Boise State’s postseason run is more than just a final bowl game; it’s an entirely new season with national championship aspirations.

“Our goal is to win a national championship,” Danielson said. “In the past, the Fiesta Bowl was the end of the road. Now, it’s just the beginning.”

Despite the long odds, the Broncos are embracing the challenge. The team knows that an unorthodox regular season and some Playoff quirks helped them secure their first-round bye, and they understand that they are still underdogs, even with a higher seed than Penn State. But with a generational talent in Jeanty and an imperfect field, Boise State sees this as their chance to make another huge statement.

The key to Boise State’s success has been Danielson, whose leadership has revived the program’s ethos and pushed it to new heights. As offensive lineman Ben Dooley put it, “Boise has always been about impossible standards, and Coach D has brought that mindset back.”

The turning point for Boise State came when Jeanty announced he would return for the 2024 season — a decision that helped solidify the team’s renewed sense of purpose. The foundation for this resurgence was laid after the firing of head coach Andy Avalos in November 2023. Danielson, then the defensive coordinator, was named interim head coach and quickly turned things around, leading the Broncos to a series of crucial victories, including a decisive win over UNLV in the Mountain West Championship.

The team, energized by Danielson’s leadership, rallied behind him and urged the athletic director, Jeramiah Dickey, to make his interim status permanent.

“It was unanimous,” Dickey said. “The leadership council wanted Coach Danielson.”

Initially, Dickey was unsure if Danielson was the right fit for the job. However, after seeing the way the team responded to him and the genuine authenticity he brought to the table, Dickey was convinced.

“Spencer has a level of authenticity that’s rare. What he says, he lives out,” Dickey explained. “It’s contagious.”

Danielson was officially named head coach in December 2023, and just two days later, Jeanty confirmed his return. While Jeanty’s decision wasn’t the only factor, it underscored Danielson’s importance to the program’s revival.

“Once I knew Coach D was staying, there was no question in my mind I was coming back too,” Jeanty said. “He’s helped me grow tremendously since I’ve been here.”

Danielson’s coaching style has struck a chord with his players. Edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan, who leads the team with 10 sacks, praised Danielson for his ability to hold players accountable while also leading by example.

“He’s one of the most humble people I’ve ever met,” Virgin-Morgan said.

Quarterback Maddux Madsen summarized the team’s sentiment: “It’s all about love. Coach D instills that in us. This team is built on love.”

This “love” has permeated every part of the program, from the coaches to the players, creating a bond that goes beyond just football. The team’s collective strength is driven by Danielson’s focus on building relationships and holding everyone to a high standard.

While Boise State’s success in 2024 has been largely attributed to Jeanty’s breakout year, his rise is also a reflection of Danielson’s influence. Jeanty’s impressive statistics — 2,497 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns — are a testament to his work ethic and leadership, which have been shaped by Danielson’s coaching.

Danielson’s journey to coaching began when he was a linebacker at Azusa Pacific University. After a transformative experience working with high school athletes, he realized his true calling was coaching. He has since built his philosophy around relationships, believing that the key to success lies in caring about the people you work with.

“It’s all about building relationships,” Danielson said. “If I can’t help you grow as a person, I’m not doing my job.”

Now, as Boise State’s head coach, Danielson is embracing the challenges of modern college football — from navigating the transfer portal to adapting to an evolving landscape — while staying true to his values.

“Some of this stuff drives old-school coaches crazy, but Coach D has the right mentality to handle it,” said former Boise State head coach Dirk Koetter.

As the Broncos look ahead to joining a restructured Pac-12 in 2026, Danielson’s leadership has given the program renewed confidence.

“I want him to coach here as long as possible,” said athletic director Dickey. “He’s earned it.”

But for now, Danielson’s focus remains on leading Boise State through this season, and continuing to build on the legacy of upsets that has defined the program. With another Fiesta Bowl appearance, the Broncos have the opportunity to cement their place in college football history once again.

“We walk by those trophies every day,” Danielson said. “To add to that legacy, to push it further, is something we’re excited about.”

And even if others doubt them, Boise State’s mentality remains unchanged: “We know we can beat any team in the country.”