As his football team prepares for the Fiesta Bowl tonight (Dec. 31), Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson is again using his time in the spotlight to share his faith. The outspoken Christian regularly uses interviews and press conferences to glorify God and discuss his relationship with Jesus.
During a Fiesta Bowl media event this week, Danielson was asked what God had taught him this year and what Bible verses the coach has leaned on this season.
He began his reply by citing his motto: “Love Jesus, work hard, treat people right.” Although Danielson admitted he sometimes falls short of those goals, he said, “My relationship with Jesus is the only way I can be everything I need to be for this team.”
“Love Jesus, work hard, treat people right.”
LOVE THIS from Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson as he prepares for his big Fiesta Bowl matchup against Penn State pic.twitter.com/DVOV95UJoa
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) December 31, 2024
Danielson, 36, is in his first full year as head coach of the 12-1 Broncos, the Mountain West Conference champions.
No. 8 Boise State, which earned a bye week in the College Football Playoffs (CFP), faces off tonight against No. 6 Penn State in Glendale, Arizona. The Fiesta Bowl winner advances to the CFP semifinals.
Boise State Coach Shares Scripture With Players
Speaking to a reporter on Dec. 30, Danielson said he treasures many Bible verses. “Revelation [3:8] talks about doors God opens, no man can shut,” he said. “And I believe that, because there’s so many things that can create anxiety in your heart, like, ‘Oh no, is this gonna happen…?’ If God wants it to happen, doors God opens, no man can shut.”
The coach also pointed to Ephesians 3:20, saying, “God will do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask for, or we wouldn’t be the Mountain West Conference championship. We get a bye in the College Football Playoff and play in the Fiesta Bowl.”
“So many times for me and my faith, you look at stories in the Bible that directly correlate to what we are going through in our daily lives, and that’s what I lean on,” he continued. “Not on my own thoughts or my own things that I want to do. I lean on those things, and that’s what is my rock. That is what my faith is put on.”
Danielson said he shares many biblical concepts with his players:
I talk to our team about David. I talk to our team about Joshua…It even says in [Esther 4:14], have you been called to this kingdom for such a time as this? I believe I’ve been called to Boise State football for such a time as this. I believe our team has too. That does not mean that everything’s gonna be perfect. It doesn’t mean that everything’s gonna go the way you want. But I do believe we’ve all been called, so don’t miss that moment. Don’t miss the impact you’re gonna have.
Spencer Danielson Impacts Young Lives
Though Boise State’s football program is no stranger to success, it has often been overlooked. That changed this year under Danielson’s leadership—and with the strong performance of running back Ashton Jeanty, the 2024 Heisman Trophy runner-up. In August, Danielson helped baptize Jeanty, who’s likely to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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