Football
Spencer, Sean
Sean Spencer
- Title:
- Co-Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Line
- Email:
- footballmail@gators.ufl.edu
Sean Spencer enters his second season as Florida’s co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.
During his first year at Florida, Spencer coached and mentored defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr., a second-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Dexter, who started in every game for the Gators in 2022, finished season with 55 tackles, 4 TFLs, four quarterback hurries, 2 sacks, 1 interception, and a pass breakup.
Also under Spencer’s mentorship, junior Princely Umanmielen led the team in sacks (4.5), TFLs (9.5) and ranked second in quarterback hurries (5). Umanmielen made jump in his third season with the Gators, improving his tackles-for-loss by 8.0 and sacks by 3.0 along with 22 more tackles.
Umanmielen concluded his first season under Spencer ranked tied-for-16th in tackles-for-loss in the SEC and seventh TFL yards with 60.
Another significant contributor to Florida’s defense out of Spencer’s room was Tyreak Sapp, who finished the season with 20 total tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries.
Meanwhile, freshman Chris McClellan produced a promising first year under Spencer. He recorded 23 tackles and 2.5 sacks. His 23 tackles ranked the third-most in the team among first-year players.
Spencer’s unit contributed to a Florida defense that produced 22 takeaways during the 2022 season, ranking tied for first in the SEC. Those takeaways factored into a turnover margin (8) that ranked eighth in the nation.
The Gators continued their long-term defensive trends in 2022. Florida ranks fifth nationally in interceptions with 409 and lead the SEC since 1996, while holding opponents to a 54.0 passing completion percentage, which is the seventh-lowest in the FBS and third in the SEC in that that span.
A veteran of more than 20 years at the collegiate and professional levels, Spencer joined the Gators after spending two seasons (2020-21) as the New York Giants defensive line coach.
Spencer made an immediate impact to the Giants defense during his first season in 2020. That year, the defensive front registered 40 sacks, the most sacks since the 2014 season when they tallied 47.
Under Spencer’s guidance, the line helped the defense rank 12th in the NFL, allowing 349.3 yards per game in 2020. It was their best defensive finish since 2016, when they were 10th in the league by allowing 339.7 yards per game. The Giants’ rushing defense ranked 10th, allowing 111.4 yards per game, also their best figures since 2016 when they were tied for third at 88.6 rushing yards per game.
Prior to the Giants, Spencer spent six seasons (2014-19) at Penn State, where he was also associate head coach and run game coordinator his final two years (2018-19).
The Nittany Lions’ line was traditionally one of the best in the nation under Spencer. In 2019, Penn State had 45 sacks, the seventh-highest total in the country and third-highest in the Big Ten. It was Penn State’s fifth consecutive season with at least 40 sacks, the first such streak for the Nittany Lions since team sacks were recorded in 1988.
That season, Spencer’s linemen were also significant contributors to Penn State’s run defense, which finished first in the nation by allowing only 2.6 yards per carry. The Nittany Lions also finished fifth in the country and first in the conference in yards per game with 95.0 in 2019.
In 2015 and 2018, Penn State led the nation in sacks, first with 50 and then with 47. Additionally, the Nittany Lions ranked fourth in the country with 8.2 tackles for loss a game in 2018. That year, the defense was a frequent fixture in the opposition’s backfield, leading the country in sacks (3.62) for the second time in four years and ranking fourth in tackles for loss (8.2).
In 2017, the line helped the defense finish in the top 25 in FBS in scoring defense (7th; 16.5), sacks (7th; 3.23), rushing defense (14th; 118.0), total defense (17th; 329.5), takeaways (23rd; 25) and tackles for loss (25th; 7.2).
The line played a pivotal role in Penn State’s Big Ten Championship run in 2016, when the defense finished seventh in FBS in tackles for loss (8.1) and 19th in sacks (2.86).
In 2015, the defensive line not only paced a unit that led the FBS in sacks (3.54 a game) but was sixth in tackles for loss (8.2) and 14th in total defense (324.5).
Spencer led a unit that in 2014 helped Penn State finish third in the FBS rushing defense (100.5) and second in total defense (278.7).
Prior to Penn State, Spence spent three seasons (2011-13) at Vanderbilt. During his tenure, the defensive lines helped the Commodores finish in the top 25 in the nation in total defense all three years. Vanderbilt recorded 28, 31 and 28 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 Massachusetts, also coaching the defensive front in 2001-03 and in 2007-08. He also has coached 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, Conn. He and his wife Allyson have a 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.
Dexter, who started in every game for the Gators in 2022, finished season with 55 tackles, 4 TFLs, four quarterback hurries, 2 sacks, 1 interception, and a pass breakup.
Also under Spencer’s mentorship, junior Princely Umanmielen led the team in sacks (4.5), TFLs (9.5) and ranked second in quarterback hurries (5). Umanmielen made jump in his third season with the Gators, improving his tackles-for-loss by 8.0 and sacks by 3.0 along with 22 more tackles.
Umanmielen concluded his first season under Spencer ranked tied-for-16th in tackles-for-loss in the SEC and seventh TFL yards with 60.
Another significant contributor to Florida’s defense out of Spencer’s room was Tyreak Sapp, who finished the season with 20 total tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries.
Meanwhile, freshman Chris McClellan produced a promising first year under Spencer. He recorded 23 tackles and 2.5 sacks. His 23 tackles ranked the third-most in the team among first-year players.
Spencer’s unit contributed to a Florida defense that produced 22 takeaways during the 2022 season, ranking tied for first in the SEC. Those takeaways factored into a turnover margin (8) that ranked eighth in the nation.
The Gators continued their long-term defensive trends in 2022. Florida ranks fifth nationally in interceptions with 409 and lead the SEC since 1996, while holding opponents to a 54.0 passing completion percentage, which is the seventh-lowest in the FBS and third in the SEC in that that span.
A veteran of more than 20 years at the collegiate and professional levels, Spencer joined the Gators after spending two seasons (2020-21) as the New York Giants defensive line coach.
Spencer made an immediate impact to the Giants defense during his first season in 2020. That year, the defensive front registered 40 sacks, the most sacks since the 2014 season when they tallied 47.
Under Spencer’s guidance, the line helped the defense rank 12th in the NFL, allowing 349.3 yards per game in 2020. It was their best defensive finish since 2016, when they were 10th in the league by allowing 339.7 yards per game. The Giants’ rushing defense ranked 10th, allowing 111.4 yards per game, also their best figures since 2016 when they were tied for third at 88.6 rushing yards per game.
Prior to the Giants, Spencer spent six seasons (2014-19) at Penn State, where he was also associate head coach and run game coordinator his final two years (2018-19).
The Nittany Lions’ line was traditionally one of the best in the nation under Spencer. In 2019, Penn State had 45 sacks, the seventh-highest total in the country and third-highest in the Big Ten. It was Penn State’s fifth consecutive season with at least 40 sacks, the first such streak for the Nittany Lions since team sacks were recorded in 1988.
That season, Spencer’s linemen were also significant contributors to Penn State’s run defense, which finished first in the nation by allowing only 2.6 yards per carry. The Nittany Lions also finished fifth in the country and first in the conference in yards per game with 95.0 in 2019.
In 2015 and 2018, Penn State led the nation in sacks, first with 50 and then with 47. Additionally, the Nittany Lions ranked fourth in the country with 8.2 tackles for loss a game in 2018. That year, the defense was a frequent fixture in the opposition’s backfield, leading the country in sacks (3.62) for the second time in four years and ranking fourth in tackles for loss (8.2).
In 2017, the line helped the defense finish in the top 25 in FBS in scoring defense (7th; 16.5), sacks (7th; 3.23), rushing defense (14th; 118.0), total defense (17th; 329.5), takeaways (23rd; 25) and tackles for loss (25th; 7.2).
The line played a pivotal role in Penn State’s Big Ten Championship run in 2016, when the defense finished seventh in FBS in tackles for loss (8.1) and 19th in sacks (2.86).
In 2015, the defensive line not only paced a unit that led the FBS in sacks (3.54 a game) but was sixth in tackles for loss (8.2) and 14th in total defense (324.5).
Spencer led a unit that in 2014 helped Penn State finish third in the FBS rushing defense (100.5) and second in total defense (278.7).
Prior to Penn State, Spence spent three seasons (2011-13) at Vanderbilt. During his tenure, the defensive lines helped the Commodores finish in the top 25 in the nation in total defense all three years. Vanderbilt recorded 28, 31 and 28 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 Massachusetts, also coaching the defensive front in 2001-03 and in 2007-08. He also has coached 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, Conn. He and his wife Allyson have a daughter, Alysia.
| SEAN SPENCER COACHING HISTORY | |
| Year | School, Position |
| 2022- Pres. | Florida, Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line |
| 2020-2021 | New York Giants, Defensive Line Coach |
| 2018-2019 | Penn State, Associate Head Coach/Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach |
| 2014-2017 | Penn State, Defensive Line Coach |
| 2011-2013 | Vanderbilt, Defensive Line Coach |
| 2009-2010 | Bowling Green, Defensive Line Coach |
| 2007-2008 | Massachusetts, Defensive Line/Special Teams Coordinator |
| 2006 | Hofstra, Defensive Line Coach |
| 2005 | Villanova, Linebackers Coach |
| 2004 | Holy Cross, Defensive Line |
| 2001-2003 | Massachusetts, Defensive Line |
| 1998-2000 | Trinity College, Running Backs Coach/Defensive Line Coach/Passing Game Coordinator |
| 1996-1997 | Shippensburg, Running Backs Coach |
| NFL PLAYERS COACHED BY SPENCER | |||||
| Name | Team | Rnd. | Pos. | College | Year Entered NFL |
| Gervon Dexter Sr. | Chicago Bears | Round 3, Pick 22, 53 Overall | DT | Florida | 2023 |
| Shaka Toney | Washington Football Team | Round 7, Pick 19, 246 Overall | DE | Penn State | 2021 |
| Odafe Oweh | Baltimore Ravens | Round 1, Pick 31, 31 Overall | LB | Penn State | 2021 |
| Yetur Gross-Matos | Carolina Panthers | Round 2, Pick 6, 38 Overall | DE | Penn State | 2020 |
| Rob Windsor | Indianapolis Colts | Round 6, Pick 14, 193 Overall | DT | Penn State | 2020 |
| Shareef Miller | Philadelphia Eagles | Round 4, Pick 36, 138 Overall | DE | Penn State | 2019 |
| Kevin Givens | San Francisco 49ers | Undrafted Free Agent | DT | Penn State | 2019 |
| Austin Johnson | Tennessee Titans | Round 2, Pick 12, 43 Overall | DT | Penn State | 2016 |
| Stephen Weatherly | Minnesota Vikings | Round 7, Pick 6, 227 Overall | DE | Vanderbilt | 2016 |
| Carl Nassib | Cleveland Browns | Round 3, Pick 2, 65 Overall | DE | Penn State | 2016 |
| Anthony Zettel | Detroit Lions | Round 6, Pick 27, 202 Overall | DT | Penn State | 2016 |
| Chris Jones | Houston Texas | Round 6, Pick 30, 198 Overall | DT | Bowling Green | 2013 |
| Tim Fugger | Indianapolis Colts | Round 7, Pick 7, 214 Overall | LB | Vanderbilt | 2012 |
| PLAYERS COACHED BY SPENCER AT THE NFL LEVEL | ||
| Name | Pos. | Team |
| Leonard Williams | DE | New York Giants |
| Dalvin Tomlinson | DT | New York Giants |
| B.J. Hill | DT | New York Giants |
| Dexter Lawrence | DT | New York Giants |
| Danny Shelton | DT | New York Giants |
| NFL PLAYERS RECRUITED BY SPENCER (Rounds 1 & 2) | |||||
| Name | Team | Rnd. | Pos | College | Draft Year |
| Jahan Dotson | Washington Commanders | Round 1, Pick 16, 16 Overall | WR | Penn State | 2022 |
| Micah Parsons | Dallas Cowboys | Round 1, Pick 12, 12 Overall | LB | Penn State | 2021 |
| Odafe Oweh | Baltimore Ravens | Round 1, Pick 31, 31 Overall | LB | Penn State | 2021 |
| Yetur Gross-Matos | Carolina Panthers | Round 2, Pick 6, 38 Overall | DE | Penn State | 2020 |
| Saquon Barkley | New York Giants | Round 1, Pick 2, 2 Overall | RB | Penn State | 2018 |
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