Players publicly endorse Spencer for head coach job
Defensive coordinator has led unit to noted improvement
BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic players are making it clear they want interim head coach and defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer to be the team’s permanent coach.
Multiple Owls posted messages of support for Spencer on Twitter. Senior safety Da’Von Brown tweeted “In coach Spencer we Trust” Monday morning.
“We WANT Coach [Spencer] as our Head Coach !!!! ” Quran Hafiz tweeted.
The junior safety also tagged FAU president Dr. John Kelly and athletic director Brian White in the tweet.
Redshirt sophomore running back Tyrek Tisdale, sophomore defensive lineman Jaylen Joyner and freshman running back Kelvin Dean also tweeted messages of support Spencer on Monday. FAU had a team meeting Monday morning, and won’t practice until Thursday because of final exams.
White named Spencer the team’s interim coach after Lane Kiffin stepped down as FAU’s coach on Saturday after the Owls won the Conference USA Championship
to take over the head coaching reigns at Ole Miss. White said in a statement on Saturday that FAU has begun its national search for its next head coach.
Spencer is in his first season as the Owls’ defensive coordinator after being in the same role at Charlotte last year. FAU has recorded a program-record 21 interceptions so far this season and leads the nation in takeaways.
The Owls allowed the 92nd most points per game (31.8) last year. That number is down to 22.3 (33rd in the NCAA) this season.
“Glenn’s done a great job,” Kiffin said after Saturday’s game. “He’s done an unbelievable job, just like he did a year ago at Charlotte. Great coach.”
Before Charlotte, Spencer spent 10 years at Oklahoma State University as defensive coordinator, defensive line coach and linebackers coach. He was a coordinator from 2013-17.
Spencer hasn’t been a head coach in the FBS. He started his coaching career at Division II West Georgia in 1990 as the linebackers coach, and was the Wolves head coach from 1998-2000.
Spencer was named the NCAA Division II Region Coach of the Year in 1998 and the team went 28-7 under him.
He said he isn’t concerned about balancing his head coaching, coordinator and recruiting responsibilities all at once.
“It’s not my first rodeo,” Spencer said. “It’s what we do. It’s part of our profession. I got a good staff around right now and it’s all about everybody’s commitment. The bottom line is do right by the university and do right by these kids.”
FAU will play SMU in the Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 21 at FAU Stadium. Spencer said he isn’t viewing his time as the Owls’ interim head coach as an audition for the permanent position.
“I’m kind of a live and serve where your feet are planted kind of guy,” Spencer said. “As you mature and get older, you kind of realize what’s important, what you control and the other things you let it happen. The plan will end up the way it’s supposed to.”