‘He’s a great leader.’ Is Boise State’s next head football coach already on staff?

Boise State Athletic Director Jeramiah Dickey said Monday that he already has a short list of candidates to become the Broncos’ next football coach.

What Dickey described as a national search is underway after Andy Avalos was fired on Sunday.

For many current Broncos, they’d be fine if that national search ended right in Boise.

Dickey said he wants a new coach in place before early signing day, which is Dec. 20. He said a hire could be announced as soon as the Mountain West championship game, which is scheduled for Dec. 2.

He also said what he’s looking for in a coach goes beyond the field.

“I want to find someone who aligns with who I am and who our department is,” Dickey told reporters on Monday. “Someone who understands the value of football here and the expectations.”

Boise State players said they know a God-fearing family man who’s perfect for the job: Spencer Danielson, the team’s defensive coordinator and interim head coach.

“People around here would run through a brick wall for that man,” Boise State defensive tackle Michael Callahan said Tuesday. “He’s probably one of the most influential people in my life. He’s going to coach you hard and be honest with you, but he’s a guy who truly cares about each and every one of his players.”

This is Danielson’s second stint as interim head coach. He also filled the role when Bryan Harsin left to take over at Auburn after the 2020 season, but Danielson did not coach any games in that capacity.

Boise State players said he’s been the glue holding the team together since Avalos was fired Sunday. They also said he has injected energy into the program.

The atmosphere has been different at practice this week, wide receiver Billy Bowens said. He said the mood feels lighter and everyone is excited to play for Danielson.

“He’s a great coach and an even better man,” Bowens said. “He’s someone I love being around, and I’m super excited for him.”

When asked to describe Danielson’s coaching style, Boise State linebacker DJ Schramm hesitated for a beat, and then beamed as he responded “perfect.”

“He just knows how to communicate with each person individually,” Schramm said. “That’s what happens when you build such good relationships with people. You’re able to connect with them and you’re able to figure out what really drives them.”

Schramm said Danielson deserves the job.

“He’s a great leader and a great man,” the sixth-year senior said. “It goes so far beyond football. It’s just the way he leads people in life, the lessons he teaches and how he shows up each day for the guys in that locker room.”

Danielson, 35, doesn’t have experience as a head coach. The former linebacker at Azusa Pacific began his Boise State career as a graduate assistant in 2017. He was promoted to full-time edge coach in 2018, and spent the next two seasons as co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.

He was named defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach in January 2021, and he signed a new two-year deal worth $875,000 a year in December 2022.

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Danielson is a talented recruiter, and he’s seen in many coaching circles as a rising star. Dickey said Monday that he believes Danielson will be a head coach one day, but he wouldn’t confirm that he’s a candidate to fill this vacancy.

“I can’t say enough about Spencer and how he leads and how he serves,” Dickey said. “I know everyone in this building believes in him and is committed to that.”

Danielson said Monday that he does want to be a head coach one day, but he wouldn’t confirm that he’s a candidate for this job. He said all he’s thinking about is making sure the next few weeks are memorable for his players, especially the seniors.

“These guys have done so much for this place and so much for me,” Danielson said. “We’re so passionate to finish this right for them. Their legacy is still not finished.”

Danielson always has a smile on his face, and he’s not shy about sharing his faith.

“There are three things I focus on in my life: loving Jesus, working hard and treating people right,” Danielson said. “If I do those, then God is going to have that timing for me. When that time comes, I’ll be ready.”

There will be more experienced candidates with more impressive resumes on Dickey’s short list, but Schramm said there might not be a coach in America who could get the team more fired up heading into Saturday’s game at Utah State (5 p.m., CBS Sports Network).

“I think we’ll see a more energized group,” Schramm said. “A group that’s ready to go run through a brick wall for Coach D.”