Boise State Football Coach Under Fire for Open Christian Values
By Greg Pruett • February 22, 2025An organization called “Freedom From Religion Foundation” is targeting Boise State football coach Spencer Danielson for his religious beliefs in Jesus Christ.
Danielson is well-known for being open about his Christian values. In press conferences, he often expresses his gratitude to Jesus Christ and the impact Christ has had on his life. Additionally, Danielson’s players talk about the BSU program and how many players seem to be drawing closer to Christ, with some players thanking Danielson for bringing them closer to God.
In a day when more and more people seem to be focused on themselves rather than serving others, Danielson’s open Christian values are a welcome change for many Christians in the country.
In their press release, FFRF stated in part,
“FFRF emphasizes that student-athletes should be judged on athletic ability and character, not their willingness to conform to a coach’s religious ideology. No student should feel pressured to participate in religious activities or express religious devotion to be part of a public university team.
FFRF is urging Boise State University to take immediate action to ensure that its football program respects the constitutional rights of all students by reaffirming its commitment to religious neutrality. The university must make it clear that Danielson’s comments do not reflect official policy, that his statements are ruled out-of-bounds and that all students, regardless of faith or nonbelief, are reassured they are welcome and valued members of the Boise State community.
Advertisement“The coach is not only placing a Christian litmus test on potential and current student players, which is illegal, but is overtly saying nonreligious or non-Christian students are not welcome at this public university,” adds FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “University officials need to rein him in immediately before he does any more damage.”
FFRF seems to state that Danielson’s Christian beliefs likely pressure current or future athletes into believing as he does, or he will punish them.
There have been no known instances where Danielson forced a player to believe as he does. Still, because his Christian values are a significant part of his coaching philosophy, he only expresses his beliefs and how they impact him as a coach and a person.
Does FFRF also speak out against sports organizations that force players to adopt LGBT clothing or insignia on their uniforms in contradiction to their religious values? Or are they only upset when Christian values are openly shared?
As long as no one is being forced to believe as Danielson believes, there should not be a problem with him or the players expressing their religious values as they see fit under the 1st Amendment.
What do you think? Should Danielson be forbidden from discussing his Christian values openly with his players? Let us know in the comment section below.
Tags: Boise State Football, Boise State University, Christ, Christian, Spencer Danielson
I would openly invite members of the FRFG to try to explain their rants to God at the judgement…
*FRFF
My autocorrect has taken the morning off…
“FFRF”
(sigh…)
These are ridiculous accusations against Coach Danielson. The BSU football team love Coach Danielson. Haven’t heard anything negative from the team. Coach Danielson is doing what his God given rights are and freedom of speech.
He should stop mixing religion and sports. While he may not require any athletes to agree with his beliefs, I’ve been there and can tell you there is UNSPOKEN pressures to conform when a coach says things like this. You can quietly be an outcast even though coach may not intend that outcome. His comments have offended several of us alumni and several of us are getting tired of his rhetoric. Besides does he really think Jesus favors him and his team over any other team?
with no evidence of Coach ” forcing” his beliefs on players, this is ridiculous. our Constitution promises freedom of speech. If other groups, whose beliefs I do not believe in, have free speech, then so do I . and so does Coach.