Spencer leaves PSU for Giants
Sean Spencer, who established a reputation as an outstanding defensive line coach, will leave Penn State to join the New York Giants staff, according to Lions 247.
Spencer, 48, has worked for Nittany Lions coach James Franklin since 2011, when Franklin was the Commodores coach. He received the title of associate head coach in 2018.
Spencer reportedly interviewed with the Giants and new coach Joe Judge earlier this week.
His departure would leave Brent Pry, the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, and Terry Smith, the cornerbacks coach, as the only original members of Franklin’s Penn State staff in 2014.
Mostly behind Spencer’s defensive linemen, who he anointed the “Wild Dogs,” Penn State has had at least 40 sacks in each of the last five seasons. The Lions had six sacks against Memphis in the Cotton Bowl, raising the 2019 sea
son total to 45. They led the nation in 2018 with 47.
During his time at Penn State, Spencer has guided such NFL players as Austin Johnson, Carl Nassib, Anthony Zettel, Shareef Miller and Kevin Givens. Yetur Gross-Matos, who chose to skip his senior season to turn pro, is expected to be no worse than a second-round pick in the NFL draft in April.
Spencer was given the name “Coach Chaos” by Penn State strength and conditioning coach Dwight Galt. He’s been an effective recruiter and a coach who’s loved and respected by his players.
Spencer told the Reading Eagle last year that he had coaching goals beyond Penn State.
“You always set goals for yourself,” he said. “If you don’t, you become complacent. I’m extremely happy being the associate head coach and d-line coach here. I really believe in Penn State. I believe in the vision that Coach Franklin has set for this program. “I do aspire to be a head coach. I feel like I’m a leader of men. This is what I was put on earth to do. I’m never a guy who looks too far into the future. I’m a big believer in taking care of where you’re at. If I stay at Penn State for the rest of my career, I’d be fine with that, too. It’s gotta be the right job and the right fit.”