Utah State to part ways with head football coach Blake Anderson

Utah State announced “major changes” to its football program on Tuesday, namely that head coach Blake Anderson was being placed on leave with an intent to terminate his employment. Anderson spent the last three seasons at the helm, going 11-3 in his first year before finishing 6-7 in each of the next two for an overall 23-17 record in Logan.

Details are minimal, but the official press release from USU cites “actions taken in spring 2023” as the reason, later stating: “This decision comes after a thorough external review of alleged noncompliance with university policies that implement Title IX, which require full and timely reporting of disclosures of sexual misconduct — including domestic violence — and prohibit employees from investigating disclosures of sexual misconduct themselves.”

Anderson has 14 days to respond to or appeal the termination per his contract, so it will likely be a little while before everything is ironed out here. The school has also dismissed Associate VP & Deputy AD Jerry Bovee and Director of Player Development & Community Austin Albrecht for “violations of university policies related to the reporting of sexual and domestic violence and failures of professional responsibilities.”

Defensive coordinator and DEs coach Nate Dreiling has been tabbed as interim head coach for the upcoming 2024 season. Dreiling just arrived at Utah State earlier this year after spending the previous two seasons as DC at New Mexico State. The Aggies kick off their season on August 31, hosting FCS Robert Morris in Logan.

credit to Utah State Athletics for the image