Spencer Danielson Signs Five-Year Extension as Boise State Head Coach

Boise State has secured its football future through the 2029 season by signing head coach Spencer Danielson to a five-year contract extension, the university announced this week. Danielson, 36, has rapidly ascended from a graduate assistant to one of the most respected coaches in the country, capping a meteoric rise with a College Football Playoff quarterfinal appearance and back-to-back Mountain West titles.

A New Deal for a New Era

The new contract, pending final approval from the Idaho State Board of Education, will pay Danielson an average of $2.2 million per year—doubling his previous salary and totaling nearly $11 million over five years. His annual compensation will start at $2 million in 2025 and increase by $100,000 each subsequent year. Danielson now ranks as the second-highest paid coach in the Mountain West Conference, trailing only UNLV’s Dan Mullen.

This extension reflects not just Danielson’s on-field success, but Boise State’s commitment to long-term stability and championship aspirations.

On-Field Success

Since being named interim head coach in November 2023, Danielson has compiled a 15–3 record, including a 12–2 campaign in his first full season at the helm in 2024. The Broncos went undefeated in Mountain West play, secured another conference title, and earned a No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff, marking the program’s first-ever appearance in the CFP.

That season also included a Fiesta Bowl matchup against Penn State and national recognition for the Broncos, who finished in the top 10 in multiple statistical categories:

• Scoring Offense: 37.3 points per game (5th nationally)

• Total Offense: 466.0 yards per game (8th)

• Sacks: 55 (1st)

• Tackles for Loss: 7.9 per game (5th)

Danielson’s leadership was a key factor in developing a balanced and dominant team on both sides of the ball.

Star Power and Stability

Among Danielson’s most notable achievements was retaining Heisman finalist and Doak Walker Award winner Ashton Jeanty, who went on to become the No. 6 overall pick in the NFL Draft. In an era where Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals regularly lure star players elsewhere, Danielson’s player-first approach and personal connection were pivotal in keeping top talent in Boise.

That authenticity, grounded in a values-driven and openly Christian leadership style, has sparked both admiration and debate. While some have questioned its potential impact on recruiting, the results speak for themselves: wins, development, and a tight-knit locker room culture.

A Coach of the Year and Beyond

Danielson’s 2024 performance earned him Mountain West Coach of the Year honors and national recognition as a finalist for the Eddie Robinson, Paul “Bear” Bryant, and Grant Teaff FCA Coach of the Year awards.

Boise State Athletic Director Jeramiah Dickey praised Danielson's leadership as a transformative force for both the football program and the broader university.

“Spencer has proven to be the right leader at the right time for Boise State football and our university as a whole,” said Dickey. “He’s a bar-raiser in every sense, on the field and in the lives of our student-athletes.”

Danielson, who has now been with the program for eight seasons, expressed gratitude and resolve in a statement:

“I truly believe it’s my calling to be the head coach at Boise State,” Danielson said. “My family and I want to be here, not only to win championships but to help develop young men for the next stages of their lives. We are fired up for the future of Boise State football!”

Looking Ahead

The Broncos open their 2025 season on the road against South Florida on Thursday, August 28, followed by the home opener on Saturday, September 6 versus Eastern Washington. Kickoff times and TV details will be released later this spring.

With a dynamic leader now locked in for the long haul, and momentum firmly behind the program, Boise State is positioned to remain one of the nation's top Group of Five powers for years to come.