Spencer Danielson gave Charlie Kirk’s family two words that left every fan in America in tears

College football coaches usually stick to talking about game plans and recruiting.

But one head coach just showed the rest of America what real leadership looks like.

And Spencer Danielson gave Charlie Kirk’s family two words that left every fan in America in tears.

Boise State coach opens press conference with powerful tribute to Charlie Kirk

Most college football coaches spend their Monday press conferences breaking down the previous game and looking ahead to the next opponent.

Spencer Danielson had something much more important on his mind.

The Boise State head coach opened his weekly media session by honoring the memory of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative activist who was assassinated at Utah Valley University on September 10th.

Kirk was gunned down by a sniper while speaking to students during the first stop of his American Comeback Tour.

The shooting sent shockwaves through the conservative movement and left Kirk’s wife Erika and their two young children without a husband and father.

Rather than dive straight into football talk, Danielson used his platform to deliver a message that went far beyond the gridiron.

"Before I talk football, I just always wanna thank Jesus for the opportunity to coach this team," Danielson began his press conference. "I’m so blessed to be part of this organization with this group of young men and staff."

Then he got to the heart of what was really weighing on him.

"Some hard things happened last week with the killing of Charlie Kirk. That’s hard. Regardless of where you’re at politically, religiously, that has nothing (to do) with what we’re talking about now. There’s a 31-year-old that was killed that now has a wife and two kids that are left behind."

Danielson connects Kirk’s death to broader cultural darkness

The Boise State coach didn’t stop there.

He connected Kirk’s assassination to the 24th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, noting that most of his players weren’t even alive when America was attacked on September 11, 2001.

"And then you have September 11th. And even talking with our team about September 11th, that was 24 years ago. The majority of our team wasn’t even alive when terrorists attacked our country and thousands were killed," Danielson explained.

For Danielson, both tragedies served as stark reminders of the world his young players are inheriting.

"So, it’s one of those weeks that just reminds you as a coach . . . my heart goes out to Charlie Kirk’s wife and his kids. And like I said, regardless of where you’re at religiously, politically, it reminds you that we live in a fallen world," Danielson pointed out.

"And it reminds you that there’s a lot of darkness and wickedness out there."

The coach made it clear that events like Kirk’s murder only strengthen his resolve to develop his players into something more than just football players.

"And for me, as a head coach, that is what I’m called to do is to build young men to be world-changers and champions in a life that definitely needs more leaders. That desperately needs people to stand up for (what’s) right, and that’s what I’m called to do."

Coach delivers Martin Luther King quote about light defeating darkness

Danielson then invoked the words of Martin Luther King Jr. to make his point about how his team should respond to the darkness they see in the world.

"Even what Martin Luther King said: Darkness cannot drive back darkness; only light can do that. And that’s what we want to be as a football program. We want to be a light on a hill."

The coach emphasized that while winning games is important, his real mission goes much deeper than Saturday afternoons in the fall.

"Yes, we need to win football games and championships and all – Every college football coach, that’s their job. No question, mine included. But I believe God has called me here to develop young men to be champions in life in a world that desperately needs leaders."

It was a powerful reminder that college coaches are shaping the next generation of American leaders, not just future NFL prospects.

Danielson revealed that he had already spoken to his team about Kirk’s death and the anniversary of 9/11, using both tragedies as teaching moments.

"I had a really good conversation with our team about that stuff last week and I’m excited to grow them. And that’s what I’m honored to do every single day is to build young men to create a tomorrow that is better than yesterday. And that’s what we’re all called to do."

A coach shows what leadership really looks like

Look, here’s what just happened that most people will completely miss.

In an era where college coaches are scared to say anything that might offend boosters or recruiting targets, Spencer Danielson just showed the spine that built America.

This wasn’t some calculated media strategy designed to generate headlines.

This was a man who understood that his platform comes with responsibilities that extend far beyond the football field.

While politicians issue their standard thoughts and prayers statements, Danielson used his Monday press conference to actually lead.

He connected the dots between political violence, cultural decay, and his responsibility as someone who shapes young men’s lives.

And he did it by invoking his faith, quoting Martin Luther King Jr., and speaking directly about the "darkness and wickedness" that took Charlie Kirk’s life.

The two words that left every other coach speechless? "Called to."

Most coaches see themselves as football professionals trying to win games and keep their jobs.

Danielson sees himself as someone who was "called to" develop world-changers and champions in life.

That’s the difference between a job and a mission.

Between managing a roster and building character.

Between coaching football and actually leading.

Charlie Kirk spent his life trying to wake up young Americans to the battles being fought for their future.

Spencer Danielson just proved that message is alive and well – and that there are still coaches willing to be "a light on a hill" in a world that desperately needs more leaders like him.

¹ Trey Wallace, "Why Spencer Danielson’s Message On Charlie Kirk, 9/11, And Leadership Matters Beyond College Football," OutKick, September 16, 2025.

² Fox News, "Fight erupts at Charlie Kirk vigil at Idaho State Capitol, 2 arrested: report," September 13, 2025.

³ Sports Illustrated, "’It reminds you that we live in a fallen world;’ Boise State’s Spencer Danielson on Charlie Kirk, 9/11 anniversary," September 15, 2025.

⁴ OutKick, "Boise State’s Spencer Danielson Talks Leadership, Faith & Charlie Kirk," September 16, 2025.