Utah State to dismiss football coach Blake Anderson

Utah State has issued a notice of intent to terminate football coach Blake Anderson after an investigation into alleged actions taken in spring 2023. The university announced this decision on Tuesday. Anderson has a 14-day window to respond to the notice of termination as outlined in his employment contract. Jerry Bovee, a deputy athletic director who served as interim AD in 2023, and Austin Albrecht, the director of player development and community, were also dismissed. The three individuals were found to have violated university policy by failing to comply with Title IX regulations regarding disclosures of sexual misconduct, including domestic violence, and by attempting to handle such misconduct independently. Athletic director Diana Sabau informed the team on Tuesday that Anderson had been placed on leave, with defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling stepping in as interim head coach for the Aggies. The decision to terminate Anderson came shortly afterward. Anderson, aged 55, was entering his fourth season at Utah State with a record of 23-17, including a 6-7 season in 2023. In his first season with the program in 2021, the team finished 11-3 and won the LA Bowl, ending the year ranked No. 24 in the Associated Press Top 25. Anderson has an overall record of 74-54, which includes seven seasons at Arkansas State from 2014-2020. University administrators stated that the investigation results necessitated the termination of Anderson and others. In a memo to faculty, Sabau and university president Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell explained, “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.” Despite acknowledging the impact on student athletes and the football program, the university is committed to fostering a culture of respect, transparency, and success. Utah State is scheduled to open the season against Robert Morris on Aug. 31. –Field Level Media