Boise State’s Danielson has ‘non-negotiables’ for Broncos’ new offensive coordinator

Boise State football coach Spencer Danielson opened up about what he’s looking for in a new offensive coordinator and who he’s considering for the position on Thursday.

Danielson, the Broncos’ former defensive coordinator, who replaced former head coach Andy Avalos in December, is looking for a new offensive coordinator after Bush Hamdan left this week to assume the same role at Kentucky.

Danielson went on KTIK radio’s “Prater and Ballgame” show on Thursday and listed what he called the “non-negotiables” of what he’s seeking in candidates.

The 35-year-old, first-time head coach began with a coordinator who knows how to lead an explosive offense and develop quarterbacks.

The Broncos connected on just seven pass plays of at least 50 yards and three that covered at least 60 last season. The rushing offense was much more explosive, bolstered by one of the nation’s top running backs, Ashton Jeanty, who posted 1,347 yards and 19 total touchdowns. Boise State had 11 rushing attempts cover at least 30 yards, seven go for at least 40 and seven cover at least 50.

Danielson said he wants more of that in the rushing and passing games this season.

“I want to be on the attack,” Danielson told KTIK. “We will be an explosive, attacking offense.”

A ‘true QB developer’

The Broncos have a young group of quarterbacks competing to replace Taylen Green, who transferred to Arkansas in December.

This year’s group is led by former five-star recruit Malachi Nelson, who transferred in from USC with four years of eligibility left. He’ll compete with redshirt sophomore Maddux Madsen, who will miss most of spring practice as he recovers from knee surgery. Madsen has a chance to put in some light work late in spring, Danielson said on National Signing Day.

The Broncos also have redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Tiller, who started the LA Bowl and should get a lot of reps this spring with Madsen still on the shelf. Incoming freshman Kaleb Annett enrolled early and has been on campus since January, and the Broncos have walk-ons Colt Fulton and Max Cutforth.

“(I’m looking for) a true quarterback developer,” Danielson said Thursday. “We have a great group of quarterbacks, but they’re younger. I want them to be held to a high standard and developed.”

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Danielson also said Thursday that the Broncos’ next offensive coordinator has to have a history of success as a play caller.

“I’m looking for a true, proven play caller that knows how to attack defenses,” he said. “When it’s third-and-5 and the game is on the line, they know what they’re going to. They’ve been there before, they know the feeling. … They’re going to have the answers and be on the attack.”

Danielson said his final non-negotiable is an elite connection with the players that stretches beyond the field.

“You need to love the players, be involved in their lives, hold them to a high standard and develop them as people,” Danielson said. “You can’t coach here if you don’t want to be involved in their lives and grow them as men.”

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A revolving door

Replacing offensive coordinators is nothing new at Boise State. The Broncos are searching for their sixth since 2019, counting former head coach Dirk Koetter’s stint as interim after Tim Plough was fired in 2022.

Danielson said Thursday that he’s been immersed in the hiring process since Hamdan told him he was leaving and has already spoken to several candidates.

He didn’t share any names beyond potential in-house candidates, but Danielson did say that he has spoken to wide receivers coach Matt Miller and is “walking the process with him.”

Miller, a former wide receiver at Boise State, has coached the Broncos’ receivers since 2020. Before returning to his alma mater, he spent 2018 and 2019 as the offensive coordinator at Montana State.

“Matt has called plays, and he did a great job at Montana State,” Danielson said.

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Danielson also mentioned his admiration for tight ends coach and run game coordinator Nate Potter on Thursday. Potter, a former offensive tackle at Boise State, joined the staff in 2022 and picked up the title of co-offensive coordinator this year.

“I made him co-offensive coordinator in January because of how I’ve seen him lead the offense from the running game standpoint, not only in games, but in practice,” Danielson said.

Danielson wouldn’t comment on if he’s giving more weight to candidates already on staff, but he said he has plenty of options. He described the candidate pool as vast.

“This is a big-time job, from not only the place, the university and where you live, to the players you’re going to be around and the weapons we’re going to have offensively,” Danielson said.

The Broncos return 19 starters, including Jeanty and eight of last season’s top 10 tacklers.

One thing Danielson said he won’t do is rush into a decision, but he also said Thursday that the new offensive coordinator will be in place before spring practice begins. He’s so committed to that, he said he’s considering postponing the start of spring practice a week. It’s scheduled to begin March 5.

“We’ll do that so the offensive staff can come together and hit the ground running,” he said.