Coaches Football

Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson giving Jesus 'all the glory' as Broncos roll

By Joshua Doering Dec 3, 2024
Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson in 2024. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

For all of its success since joining the Mountain West in 2011, the Boise State football program has never won back-to-back conference championships. That could change Friday night when the Broncos (11-1, No. 10 in the latest AP poll) host UNLV (10-2, No. 19) in the Mountain West title game.

A win would essentially guarantee Boise State a berth in the 12-team College Football Playoff as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions. The Broncos were 10th in the latest CFP rankings released Tuesday night.

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This all comes in Spencer Danielson’s first full season as head coach. He’s already led the Broncos to their first 11-win season since 2019, and the only team to beat them this year is No. 1 Oregon (Boise State even led in the fourth quarter of that game). They’re 14-2 since he took over as the interim coach for the final four games of last season, which included a 44-20 victory over UNLV in the conference championship game and a 35-22 loss to UCLA in the L.A. Bowl.

A former linebacker at the University of San Diego and Azusa Pacific University, Danielson joined the Boise State program as a graduate assistant in 2017. He became a full-time defensive assistant in 2018, a defensive line coach in 2019, and the defensive coordinator in 2021.

Central to Danielson’s coaching philosophy is his strong faith in God. Many of the values that serve as the foundation of his program โ€” running the race to win, treating others well, investing in relationships โ€” come from the Bible.

“I believe that you can still hold extremely high standards and still love Jesus and still do it the right way, treat people the right way,” he said earlier this year on a podcast for Idaho’s largest school district.

Danielson is not shy about sharing his faith either. He says he’s a “firm believer in Jesus Christ” in his bios on Instagram and X and begins his press conferences by giving thanks to God.

“I will screw up more than anybody,” he said on the podcast. “I am not perfect, but my faith matters a lot to me. My relationship with Jesus is a huge part of my life.”

In August, Danielson even helped baptize superstar running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty posted a video on Instagram celebrating the occasion and included Mark 16:16 in his caption.

 

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A post shared by Ashton Jeanty๐Ÿ’ซ (@deuce.2x__)

One of the things Danielson tries to emphasize to his players is that there are very few constants in life. Circumstances will change. Adversity will strike. Even best friends and family members make mistakes. The only being who Danielson knows will never disappoint him is the Lord.

“Whatever you’re in โ€” as a teacher, as a coach, as a professional โ€” things happen,” he said on the podcast. “There’s so many things that you can’t control; so many things can let you down. The one thing for me that won’t let me down is my relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s the only constant.”

Following the Broncos’ 34-18 win over Oregon State on Saturday, Danielson thanked the team’s seniors, fans and Jesus in a post on X.

In a press conference before that game, he talked about the importance of gratitude and explained why it’s so important to him that he begins every press conference by praising the Lord.

“It’s a way for me to always make sure my heart’s positioned the right way, to have an attitude of gratitude, because it’s not about me,” he said. “It’s about the impact you have, impacting others, helping others.”

Boise State and UNLV have already met once this season, with the Broncos winning 29-24 in Las Vegas. Friday’s game kicks off at 8 p.m. ET and will be televised on FOX. However far the Broncos may go, Danielson will keep pointing back to Christ.

“I give Jesus all the glory,” he said after the Oregon State game. “I know that’s the only reason that I’m here. I’m so thankful that He put me in this seat.”

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<

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