Danielson Named to Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List

Courtesy of Boise State Athletics

BOISE, Idaho – Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson is one of 26 people named to the 2025 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. announced. The trophy is presented annually to a college football head coach who enjoys success on the gridiron while stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity.

Danielson has compiled a 15-3 record during his time as the Broncos’ head coach, winning back-to-back Mountain West titles and leading the team to a berth in the College Football Playoff. In 2024, he was named MW Coach of the Year, AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year and Grant Teaff FCA Coach of the Year. He was also a finalist for Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year, Paul “Bear” Bryant National College Football Coach of the Year, George Munger Coach of the  Year, and AFCA National Coach of the Year.

Last season, Boise State finished with a 12-2 record and was tabbed No. 8 in the final Associated Press poll. Running back Ashton Jeanty won the Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award while finishing second in Heisman Trophy voting and becoming the program’s first unanimous All-American. Joining him on multiple All-America lists was offensive tackle Kage Casey, who has been named 2025 Preseason All-America by multiple outlets. The Broncos tallied 55 sacks in 2024, most in the country. They also averaged 7.9 tackles for loss per game, ranking third in the FBS.

Danielson guided Boise State to a Mountain West title in 2023, becoming the first interim head coach to lead his team to victory in a conference championship game. He was elevated to full-time head coach the next day. The Azusa Pacific graduate started his coaching journey at Boise State in 2017 as a graduate assistant. He was promoted to full-time assistant in 2018, overseeing the STUDs. In 2021, he was elevated to defensive coordinator, a role he held until the 2024 campaign.