Breaking: Utah State terminates head coach Blake Anderson
How a coaching change so close to the season impacts the Aggies
Utah State University has terminated the contract of head coach Blake Anderson for actions taken in Spring 2023 for noncompliance with university policies implementing Title IX found during an external investigation into the program, according to a university statement. Defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling will serve as interim coach for the 2024 season.
Along with Anderson, the university dismissed Vice President and Deputy Athletic Director of External Affairs Jerry Bovee and Director of Player Development Austin Albrecht for their roles in the incidents. According to the university, Bovee and Albrecht were dismissed for “violations of university policies related to the reporting of sexual and domestic violence and failures of professional responisibility.”
Utah State Athletic Director Diana Sabau met with the team today to break the news and install Dreiling at the top of the program. Sabau also sent an email to faculty and staff with President Elizabeth Cantwell stating:
As leaders, we are responsible for ensuring allegations of USU policy violations are investigated. Today’s actions are the result of a thorough external investigation, and we believe the evidence demands immediate action. Our job is to fearlessly hold ourselves and others accountable for their conduct and to make sure that, for the sake of our students and our community, we are living the values of our university. While recognizing the impact of these decisions on our student athletes and football program, we will continue to take the steps necessary to deliver a respectful, transparent and winning culture at Utah State University.
The first thought here is of scandal and the safety of players and staff. Based on what the university released and reporting of local news sources, it appears Anderson was dismissed on domestic violence charges and sexual misconduct. I hope, for the sake of the program and those within it, that this wasn’t a widespread issue, but with other terminations, that’s unlikely.
Anderson did come under fire previously for comments about sexual assault in 2021 when he claimed that “it has never been more glamorized to be a victim” of sexual assault. He was also sued in 2022 for retailiatory behavior towards the player that recorded these comments. The lawsuit, which named Anderson directly, claimed that he blackballed former linebacker Patrick Maddox for helping his friend who filed a lawsuit for a mishandled sexual assault allegation she raised against an Aggie football player in 2019.
What’s next for the program?
The University will allow Anderson 14 days to appeal, as stated in his contract. Until that 14 day window is over, it’s unlikely any official communications will come from the university and they are able to keep the records under wraps during that appeal window as well.
If Anderson chooses to appeal, he has a chance to save his job, but will have to go through another external investigation. The general vibe around the program is that Anderson is unlikely to return, which makes it seem like an appeal is unlikely.
Either way, Dreiling will lead the program until the situation with Anderson is resolved. An appeal would likely take up most, if not all, of the season, leaving Dreiling the head man for the foreseeable future.
But who is Dreiling?
He’s in his first season at Utah State, but has four years of prior experience as a defensive coordinator at New Mexico State (2022-23) and Division II Pittsburg State (2018-19). He’s an unorthodox hire, but there’s not much chance to interview and hire candidates when firing for cause like Utah State is now.
Dreiling was instrumental in turning around the New Mexico State offense, raking over the 127th ranked defense and transforming them to the 29th ranked unit. While at New Mexico State, Dreiling oversaw seven all-conference players and helped lead the team to a 17-11 record and two consecutive bowl games - a huge success for the program.
Aside from that move, I don’t anticipate much other coach staff moves. Where there will be issues is that Anderson is the offensive coordinator and primary playcaller for the Aggies. I would assume playcalling responsibility would fall on co-offensive coordinator Kyle Cefalo, who has been with the program for four seasons and was promoted from passing game coordinator to co-offensive coordinator ahead of the 2023 season.
One other thing to note is that if Anderson is officially terminated at the end of the 14-day window, it would open the Aggies up for any players to transfer. Again, so close to the season, I wouldn’t think many players would jump at the opportunity to start fresh somewhere else, but you never know. If anything, a mass exodus at the end of the season would make more sense to me.
Either way, the Aggies are going into a rough rebuild period, losing a coach that’s led them to three bowl games in three seasons in Anderson.
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