No more interim: Boise State names Spencer Danielson 12th head coach in program history

Boise State has its new head football coach, and it turns out he was on the Broncos’ staff all along.

Boise State announced Sunday that it has promoted interim coach Spencer Danielson to head coach. He’s the 12th coach in program history, replacing his former boss, Andy Avalos, who was fired on Nov. 12.

“I am so honored and excited to be able to stay at home here at Boise State and to keep guiding these incredible young men,” Danielson said in a statement. “It is truly a blessing to be here in the Treasure Valley and to lead this program. When you play together and you love each other, you can accomplish amazing things, and we’re just getting started.”

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Danielson has served as the Broncos interim coach in the past three games, including in a 44-20 win over UNLV in the Mountain West championship on Saturday. He became the first interim coach to lead a team to a conference championship in NCAA history.

The 35-year-old was also Boise State’s interim coach when former coach Bryan Harsin left for Auburn in 2020, but he never served in that capacity during a game.

Danielson, the team’s defensive coordinator, has seen the offense go on a roll since he took over this season. The Broncos have averaged 38.7 points and more than 460 yards per game, outscoring opponents 116-49 in three straight wins.

The Broncos were 5-5 when Danielson took over for Avalos the day after a win over New Mexico. They’re 8-5 after winning the conference championship game, and Boise State will play UCLA in the LA Bowl on Dec. 16.

Boise State Athletic Director Jeramiah Dickey said that as exciting as the results of the games have been, he’s more excited about Danielson’s vision for the future of the program.

“I am grateful for the work of our search committee to ensure we made the best decision for our student-athletes and Bronco Nation,” Dickey said in a statement. “I am extremely confident Spencer is an elite leader, a man of great substance and a rising star in the coaching profession who will lead Boise State football to a bright future.”

Danielson has spent seven seasons at Boise State, including the past three as defensive coordinator. He joined the staff as a graduate assistant in 2017 before being promoted to a full-time assistant coach in 2018.

By hiring Danielson, Boise State is continuing a trend of hiring head coaches who were once on the Broncos’ staff. Avalos, Harsin and Chris Petersen were all offensive or defensive coordinators for the Broncos.

Avalos left for a stint as defensive coordinator at Oregon before returning to his alma mater. He was the Broncos’ defensive coordinator from 2016 to 2018. Harsin spent two seasons as co-offensive coordinator at Texas and one as head coach at Arkansas State before returning to Boise State. He coached tight ends for the Broncos from 2002 to 2005 and was their offensive coordinator from 2006 to 2010.

Dan Hawkins was also a tight ends and special teams coach before he was promoted to head coach in 2000.

At 35 years old, Danielson is nearly the youngest head coach in all of college football. Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham is 33, and Texas State coach G.J. Kinne just turned 35.