Sean Spencer Tabbed as Defensive Line Coach
Dec 29, 2023 | Football
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M head football coach Mike Elko added Sean Spencer to the Aggie football staff as the defensive line coach. A veteran coach with more than 20 years of experience at the collegiate and professional levels, Spencer served as the co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach for two seasons at Florida following stints at Penn State, Vanderbilt, and with the New York Giants before arriving in Aggieland.
During his first year at Florida, Spencer coached and mentored defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr., a second-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Spencer's unit contributed to a Florida defense that produced 22 takeaways during the 2022 season, ranking first in the SEC. Those takeaways factored into a turnover margin (8) that ranked eighth in the nation.
Prior to his time with the Gators, Spencer spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons as the defensive line coach for the New York Giants. He made an immediate impact with the Giants in his first season as the defensive front registered 40.0 sacks and helped the defense put up some of its best numbers since the 2016 season, ranking 12th in the NFL allowing 349.3 yards per game in 2020 and 10th in rushing defense giving up 111.4 ypg.
Before moving to the NFL, Spencer spent six seasons at Penn State where he was the defensive line coach for four seasons and was later promoted to associate head coach and run game coordinator ahead of the 2018 season. The Nittany Lions finished in the top 10 of the AP Poll in three of his last four seasons, winning a Big Ten title in 2016 and earning New Year's 6 Bowl berths in 2016 (Rose), 2017 (Fiesta) and 2019 (Cotton).
The Nittany Lions' line was one of the best in the nation under Spencer, ranking in the top 25 in tackles for loss every season he was on staff and top 15 in sacks in five of his six seasons, stringing together five consecutive 40.0-plus sack seasons. In 2019, Penn State boasted the fifth-best rushing defense (95.0 y/g) and No. 8 scoring defense (16.0 ppg) in the country, while also ranking 10th with 45.0 sacks and 13th with 101.0 TFLs.
Prior to Penn State, Spence spent three seasons at Vanderbilt (2011-13), where he helped the Commodores finish in the top 25 in the nation in total defense all three years. Vanderbilt recorded 28.0, 31.0 and 28.0 sacks under Spencer, with the defensive line posting 42.5 tackles for loss in 2013. Spencer coached the Bowling Green defensive line in 2009-10 and had two stints at UMass, coaching the defensive front from 2001-03 and 2007-08. He also spent time at Hofstra (2006), Villanova (2005), Holy Cross (2004), Trinity College (1998-2000), Shippensburg (1996-97) and Wesleyan (1995).
Spencer was a three-year starter at safety at Clarion (Pa.) University where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 1995. Spencer is a native of Hartford, Connecticut. He has one daughter, Alysia.
During his first year at Florida, Spencer coached and mentored defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr., a second-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Spencer's unit contributed to a Florida defense that produced 22 takeaways during the 2022 season, ranking first in the SEC. Those takeaways factored into a turnover margin (8) that ranked eighth in the nation.
Prior to his time with the Gators, Spencer spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons as the defensive line coach for the New York Giants. He made an immediate impact with the Giants in his first season as the defensive front registered 40.0 sacks and helped the defense put up some of its best numbers since the 2016 season, ranking 12th in the NFL allowing 349.3 yards per game in 2020 and 10th in rushing defense giving up 111.4 ypg.
Before moving to the NFL, Spencer spent six seasons at Penn State where he was the defensive line coach for four seasons and was later promoted to associate head coach and run game coordinator ahead of the 2018 season. The Nittany Lions finished in the top 10 of the AP Poll in three of his last four seasons, winning a Big Ten title in 2016 and earning New Year's 6 Bowl berths in 2016 (Rose), 2017 (Fiesta) and 2019 (Cotton).
The Nittany Lions' line was one of the best in the nation under Spencer, ranking in the top 25 in tackles for loss every season he was on staff and top 15 in sacks in five of his six seasons, stringing together five consecutive 40.0-plus sack seasons. In 2019, Penn State boasted the fifth-best rushing defense (95.0 y/g) and No. 8 scoring defense (16.0 ppg) in the country, while also ranking 10th with 45.0 sacks and 13th with 101.0 TFLs.
Prior to Penn State, Spence spent three seasons at Vanderbilt (2011-13), where he helped the Commodores finish in the top 25 in the nation in total defense all three years. Vanderbilt recorded 28.0, 31.0 and 28.0 sacks under Spencer, with the defensive line posting 42.5 tackles for loss in 2013. Spencer coached the Bowling Green defensive line in 2009-10 and had two stints at UMass, coaching the defensive front from 2001-03 and 2007-08. He also spent time at Hofstra (2006), Villanova (2005), Holy Cross (2004), Trinity College (1998-2000), Shippensburg (1996-97) and Wesleyan (1995).
Spencer was a three-year starter at safety at Clarion (Pa.) University where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 1995. Spencer is a native of Hartford, Connecticut. He has one daughter, Alysia.
Spring Football Media Availability: Marco Jones, Landon Rink
Saturday, April 04
Spring Football Media Availability: Isaiah Horton, Wilkin Formby
Thursday, April 02
Spring Football Media Availability: Holmon Wiggins
Thursday, April 02
Spring Practice Media Availability: Lyle Hemphill
Thursday, March 26
