They’re colleagues and the best of friends.
Now, a year after they worked together at Boise State, Tim Plough as offensive coordinator and Spencer Danielson as defensive coordinator, the pair are college football head coaches.
Plough, the former Ramona High School quarterback, was named head coach last Friday at UC Davis, his alma mater. Two days later, Danielson — who played at Horizon Christian — had the interim tag removed from his name and was named head coach at Boise State.
“It has been a cool few days,” Plough said of the announcements. “Spencer and I are close, good friends. I was pretty excited for myself, but one of the coolest moments was seeing him being named head coach.
“Two guys from San Diego high schools being named head college coaches … wow!”
Plough grew up in Ramona and played in high school for coach Billy Clark. An All-CIF selection in 2002, Plough set school records for passing yards and completions.
“It was great playing for Billy,” Plough said. “We had a good team (finishing 9-2 in 2001). Ramona is a tight-knit community, but one of the worst days of my football life came while playing for Ramona.
“We lost 33-32 to Helix — a team with Reggie Bush and Alex Smith. We scored, went for the two-point PAT, didn’t get it, and lost.”
Danielson grew up in Solana Beach and played at Horizon Christian, a school located off Genesee Avenue that closed its doors after the 2016 season.
“I had a phenomenal time at Horizon,” Danielson said. “I played with Miles McPherson’s son and got to know Miles.”
Miles McPherson Sr. played in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers and is now the pastor of the Rock Church.
“I played for Chris Johnson, and he had a great impact on me. He was an offensive genius,” Danielson said.
Danielson started his college career at USD, then moved to Azusa Pacific, where he played for former Rancho Buena Vista star Victor Santa Cruz.
Azusa Pacific dropped football after the 2020 season.
“People kid me about playing at two schools that don’t play football anymore,” Danielson said.
Plough played collegiately at UC Davis, throwing for 1,355 yards and 11 TDs in his senior season.
He met his wife, Christine, at Davis and began his coaching career there, spending five seasons on the Aggies’ staff. At age 25, he was the youngest offensive coordinator in the nation. Plough stayed in that position for three seasons before moving to Northern Arizona, where he spent four seasons.
Plough returned to UC Davis in 2017 as offensive coordinator, became the associate head coach in 2019, then left for the offensive coordinator job at Boise State in 2021.
After two seasons with the Broncos, Plough was named the tight ends coach at Cal.
“I had offers at Power 5 schools to come in as an offensive coordinator, but UC Davis is a special place,” Plough said. “I met my wife here. We have three boys (Jackson, Camden and Bodie), and we’d like them to grow up here. There is a family atmosphere here. I’ve spent half my life here.
“If you told me when I started playing football that I’d get paid what I’m getting paid to coach football, I would have told you you’re crazy.”
Plough promises that Davis will throw the ball and score points, promising to “make it exciting.”
Spencer Danielson was introduced this week as Boise State’s new head coach.
(John C. Kelly/Boise State University)
Danielson, like Plough, played quarterback in high school. He moved to linebacker at Azusa Pacific, piling up 190 tackles and five interceptions.
He started his coaching career at Azusa Pacific in 2013, moving to Boise State in 2017 and transitioning to defensive coordinator in 2019.
When Andy Avalos was fired as head coach late this season, Danielson was appointed interim head coach. He finished with three wins, beating Utah State, Air Force and routing UNLV 44-20 in the Mountain West Conference Championship Game to finish 8-5.
The Broncos play UCLA on Dec. 16 in the LA Bowl in SoFi Stadium.
“When I told my wife (Raechel) in 2016 we were moving to Boise, Idaho, because I had a job as a graduate assistant, she cried. And they weren’t tears of joy,” Danielson said. “But Boise greeted us with open arms. They found her a job so we could survive. Both our daughters (Eleanor and Rosalie) were born here.
“I had opportunities to leave for defensive coordinator jobs at Power 5 schools, but I felt a call here. I like the fact that as a coach, I can take a young man and not only make him a better football player, but hopefully, make him a better person.
“We can do that here. Boise is home.”
San Diego is, too. Danielson grew up going to San Diego State games, and he said he wishes the Aztecs well “unless they’re playing us.”
Plough’s parents are San Diego State graduates who still have tickets to Aztecs football and basketball games. They’re Padres season-ticket holders, too.
“Whenever we get a break or go on vacation, we go to San Diego,” Plough said. “Davis is a big draw. It’s a family town. We’ll raise our boys here. But San Diego will always be home.”
