Utah State University made a shocking announcement on Thursday, officially firing head football coach Blake Anderson. This decision came two weeks after the school had initially notified Anderson of their intent to terminate his contract. The reason behind this action was cited as significant violations of his contractual obligations, particularly related to the school’s employee reporting requirements.
The violations included Anderson’s involvement in investigations of sexual misconduct and domestic violence, which were supposed to be handled exclusively by the USU Office of Equity. Additionally, it was stated that Anderson failed to lead the team in a manner that aligned with the academic values of Utah State University.
In response to these allegations, Anderson and his attorney Tom Mars submitted a 70-page response within the given 14-day notice period. Mars argued that the school’s decision and the press release from July 2nd violated the terms of Anderson’s employment agreement and the covenant of good faith. Legal action on Anderson’s behalf is being considered to address these concerns.
The initial notice from the school also mentioned the dismissal of Jerry Bovee, a deputy athletic director, and Austin Albrecht, the director of player development and community. These actions were part of the same investigation that led to Anderson’s termination. The investigation reportedly stemmed from a domestic violence incident that occurred in April 2023.
As a result of Anderson’s firing, defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling will step in as the interim coach for the Aggies for the remainder of the season. Anderson, who had been with Utah State for three seasons, had a record of 23-17, with the team finishing 6-7 in his final season.
Throughout his coaching career, Anderson has accumulated a record of 74-54, including his time at Arkansas State. Despite the challenges faced this season, the team is preparing to open their season against Robert Morris on August 31st. The future of the Utah State football program remains uncertain as they navigate through this unexpected coaching change.