BOISE, Idaho — Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson on Wednesday was one of 27 leaders named to the watch list for the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award.
In Danielson's inaugural season as head coach, Boise State sits at No. 15 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, its highest ranking since Oct. 13, 2019. The Broncos are 5-1 overall and 2-0 in Mountain West play, riding four straight wins.
Only one starter from last season's Mountain West title team entered the transfer portal after the 35-year-old was named the 12th head coach in Bronco history. Danielson led the Broncos to a 3-1 finish with the interim title last fall.
The winner of the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award, the nation's annual top honor, will be announced live at Houston's Post Oak Hotel during a ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
"The award, given each January to a college football coach, recognizes contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity and a winning approach to coaching and life – both on and off the field," Wednesday's news release said.
Danielson is the lone Mountain West head coach on the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award watch list, voted on by the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards' Executive Leadership Team and the Bryant Family.
Boise State ranks No. 3 among FBS programs in scoring offense, total offense and rushing offense through six games, averaging 46.8 points, 523.0 total yards and 289.8 rushing yards per game.
The blue and orange leads the country with 4.83 sacks per contest and touts the nation's only duo of teammates with five or more sacks each in Ahmed Hassanein (6.5) and Jayden Virgin-Morgan (5.0).
2024 AWARD WATCH LIST:
- Bret Bielema – Illinois
- Matt Campbell – Iowa State
- Jamey Chadwell – Liberty
- Curt Cignetti – Indiana
- Mario Cristobal – Miami
- Spencer Danielson – Boise State
- Ryan Day – Ohio State
- Kalen DeBoer – Alabama
- Kenny Dillingham – Arizona State
- Mike Elko – Texas A&M
- James Franklin – Penn State
- Marcus Freeman – Notre Dame
- Josh Heupel – Tennessee
- Brian Kelly – LSU
- Chris Klieman – Kansas State
- Dan Lanning – Oregon
- Rhett Lashlee – SMU
- Clark Lea – Vanderbilt
- Joey McGuire – Texas Tech
- Jeff Monken – United States Military Academy (Army)
- Pat Narduzzi – Pittsburgh
- Brian Newberry – United States Naval Academy (Navy)
- Steve Sarkisian – Texas
- Kalani Sitake – BYU
- Kirby Smart – Georgia
- Dabo Swinney – Clemson
- Bryant Vincent – ULM
Danielson and the Broncos are on their second bye week with a massive Mountain West matchup on the horizon. Boise State visits UNLV (5-1, 2-0 MW) at 8:30 p.m. MT on Friday, Oct. 25. The Rebels travel to face Oregon State on Saturday night.
The Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards are also set to recognize a Coach of the Year from each Power Four conference and one from the combined Group of Five conferences, Pac-12 and independent teams. Click here for more information.
"The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all for more than 100 years, and the Bryant family present this award annually to celebrate Bear Bryant's legacy and raise awareness and critical funds for scientific research to eliminate needless suffering and death from cardiovascular disease and stroke, the leading causes of death globally," Wednesday's news release said. "The football coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983."