Erik Chinander’s move to Boise State a year ago has paid off.
Chinander, who was the defensive line coach for the Broncos this season, will serve as defensive coordinator for new coach Spencer Danielson in 2024.
Danielson announced Chinander’s promotion Thursday as the Broncos were preparing for Saturday’s LA Bowl against UCLA. A day earlier he confirmed Bush Hamdan would remain as offensive coordinator.
Chinander receives a 2-year contract worth $440,000 annually. He’ll continue to coach the defensive line, but won’t take over the play-calling duties on defense until after the bowl game.
“It means everything,” Chinander told Bronco Nation News. “I’m so proud to be part of this program and so proud to be with these young guys. It’s a special group of guys and to be a part of coach Danielson’s staff and what he’s got going forward here means the world to myself and my family. We’re just proud to be Broncos.
“We made no qualms about the fact that we wanted to stay. We love living in the Treasure Valley, we love the city of Boise and we love being part of this program.”
Chinander previously was the defensive coordinator at both Nebraska (2018-22) and UCF (2016-17) under coach Scott Frost. He’s also coached Oregon, Northern Iowa, Ellsworth Community College and even spent a year with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013.
Twice Chinander has been named a nominee for the Broyles Award, given to the best assistant coach in college football.
“I am really excited that Erik is taking the defensive coordinator role and staying at Boise State,” Danielson said. “He has such a bright and innovative defensive mind, and truly is an elite teacher of the game. He focuses on the development of players on and off the field and is dedicated to building long-lasting relationships.”
Chinander returns to the defensive coordinator role he previously held for seven seasons at UCF and Nebraska prior to taking the defensive line position with the Broncos in 2023.
“I’m excited,” Chinander said. “It was a good year to catch your breath a little bit and get into a new place with some new people and have some new ideas thrown your way and to learn form coach Danielson and the rest of the staff, but it’s really exciting to get back to that role. It’s going to be a lot of work and I know I have a high standard to hold at Boise State but I’m just excited.
“We won’t deviate much from coach Danielson’s defense. He’s still going to be part of it and still have an input in the defense, which we want him to because he’s an excellent defensive football coach. We won’t deviate much from the system, but we’ve already talked about some things we can maybe add or some tweaks we can put into the defense as we move forward.”
As for what he’s seen in Danielson the past year to want to work under him in 2024, Chinander said, “I just think the way he leads a group of men. He’s done a great job so far leading this program and he’ll grow as he continues in his new role but I think he’s going to be one of those guys who’s going to be a head coach for a long time and a guy people are talking about for a really long time.”
