Texas A&M Aggies To Hire Sean Spencer As Defensive Line Coach

Sean Spencer, who spent the past two seasons with the Florida Gators, will replace Elijah Robinson for the Texas A&M Aggies

The Texas A&M Aggies have their replacement for Elijah Robinson. 

The Aggies are hiring Sean Spencer as their new defensive line coach, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Spencer was most recently Florida’s co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach for the last two seasons.

Spencer, 51, has a close relationship with new A&M coach Mike Elko, having worked with him at both Hofstra and Bowling Green. Spencer also has NFL coaching experience, spending two seasons as the New York Giants defensive line coach from 2020-21. 

Elko, who was hired by A&M last month, hired Spencer to his staff at Duke before he was eventually offered the same position at Florida. 

Spencer was dismissed by second-year Gators coach Billy Napier following a 5-7 finish. This season, Florida allowed opponents to average 27.6 points per contest. The Gators allowed at least 39 points in four consecutive games — the longest streak in school history — including a 39-36 upset against Arkansas. 

Florida Co-Defensive Coordinator Sean Spencer, left, talks with Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier during warmups. The University of Florida Gators held their 14th Spring football practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 :: Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun

Naiper's breaking point under the coaching staff came when Florida allowed over 700 yards in a 52-35 loss to LSU last month. A week later, the Gators allowed Missouri to total 508 yards in a 33-31 loss. 

Prior to joining the Gators, Spencer coached at UMass (2001-03, 2007-08), Holy Cross (2004), Villanova (2005), Vanderbilt (2011-13), and Penn State (2014-2019). He's been regarded as one of the nation's top recruiters in defensive line play. 

Robinson, who served as A&M's interim coach following the firing of Jimbo Fisher last month, will join Fran Brown's staff at Syracuse as the Orange's new defensive coordinator. Elko tried to retain Robinson after spending four seasons together in College Station from 2018-21. 

REPORT: Texas A&M DL Coach Elijah Robinson Hired By Syracuse as Defensive Coordinator

The departure of Robinson will factor into A&M's ability to retain talent. On Sunday, sophomore defensive lineman Walter Nolen announced his intent to enter the transfer portal on Monday when it opens. 

Nolen is one of five players who has already announced their intent to transfer following a 7-5 finish. The Aggies will close out the season at NRG Stadium in Houston for the TaxAct Texas Bowl against No. 20 Oklahoma State on Dec. 27 at 8 p.m.