If you feel like your college football team has had a rough season, at least be grateful that you aren’t a fan of Utah State. On July 2nd, it was announced that Utah State Head Coach Blake Anderson has been placed on administrative leave and is unlikely to return, less than two months away from the start of the 2024 season.
This news is just one of the few challenges Utah State has faced over the past eight months as it tries to compete in the Mountain West.
No details have been released of what led to the dismissal.
Anderson May Have Been On the Way Out Anyway
Utah State is considered one of the bigger brands in the Mountain West alongside Boise State, San Diego State, and Colorado State. However, in the last two seasons, the Aggies have finished 6-7 overall after winning the Mountain West Championship in his first year as head coach.
With two straight disappointing seasons in Logan, it felt like Coach Anderson was already on the ropes this year and would have likely had to lead the Aggies to a 7-5 or better record to keep his job. Considering all they’ve lost in the transfer portal, this would have been a tough ask.
Sources: Utah State has informed the football team that coach Blake Anderson is on administrative leave and unlikely to return. Defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling has been named interim coach.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 2, 2024
Utah State Releases a Statement
Utah State released the following statement following the incident:
“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.”
Transfer Portal Was Brutal to Utah State
Whether Coach Anderson impacted players wanting to leave the program is all speculative. However, what isn’t debatable is the amount of talent that Utah State lost in the transfer portal during the offseason. The Aggies had 25 players transfer out of the program, and many starters are going to bigger programs.
Five players transferred to P4 programs, including the promising quarterback McCae Hillstead, who left for rival BYU.
On the flip side, yes, USU had 23 players transfer in; however, the only names who really jump off the page are Spencer Petras (Iowa QB) and Aaron Armitage (Stanford edge rusher). In total, according to 247 Sports, Utah State had the 114th average ranking transfer portal average (83.53), which was good for 7th in the MW (the Air Force doesn’t participate in the portal).