Spencer Danielson is entering his fourth season on Azusa Pacific’s coaching staff after wrapping up his playing career as a three-year starting linebacker for the Cougars. The 2016 season will be his third season coaching linebackers, and he has taken over the role of recruiting coordinator. He also serves the program in collaboration with the university advancement office and the rest of the coaching staff as director of the football program’s Champions Club alumni support group.
Danielson is an enthusiastic recruiter who has also demonstrated an ability to teach and develop his players, producing all-conference first team linebackers in each year of his coaching career.
He was one of 30 coaches selected from nearly 200 applicants for the inaugural American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) 30 Under 30 Coaches’ Leadership Institute at the 2016 AFCA Convention, participating in focused, interactive lectures on topics including ethics, leadership, NCAA rules, financial management, hiring and player safety.
A three-year starting linebacker for Azusa Pacific, Danielson wrapped up his playing career in 2012 as one of the leaders of the Cougars’ first NCAA Division II season. He was the team defensive MVP and was the third-leading tackler for the 2012 defense, and his playing career also included back-to-back NAIA playoff appearances in 2010 and 2011. Danielson started 29 times in his career, registering 190 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 5 interceptions from 2009-12.
A native of Solana Beach, Calif., Danielson graduated from Azusa Pacific with a degree in business administration in 2012, and he also earned a master’s degree with an MBA from Azusa Pacific in 2013.
Danielson teaches classes in the university’s department of applied exercise science. He and his wife Raechel (Jones), a former Azusa Pacific volleyball player, were married in 2015 and currently reside in Monrovia.
