SUU coach Andersen is new U. assistant

Urban Meyer's search for a new defensive tackles coach wasn't an exhaustive one. Turns out Mike Tuiasosopo's replacement was working just a few hours down the road in Cedar City.

Southern Utah head coach Gary Andersen, a former Ute player and assistant, is returning to his alma mater after just one season with the Thunderbirds.

"Gary Andersen is a perfect fit for our staff, and I also love that he played here," Meyer said in announcing the hire. "He had great success as a defensive line coach when he was here before and coached several players who went on to play in the NFL. There will be a seamless transition since he is familiar with our defensive system, which hasn't changed. The players are very excited for his return."

Andersen, who worked with Utah's defensive line from 1997-2002, coached first-team all-conference linemen John Frank, Jason Kaufusi, Garrett Smith and Pene Talamaivao. He also helped coach Lauvale Sape of the Buffalo Bills during his previous stint with the Utes and defensive coordinator Kyle Whittingham.

"As a former player and assistant coach, I've always felt that Utah football could compete at a national level and this past season's success proved that. Coach Meyer has set the table for a great future at the University of Utah, and I wanted to be a part of the excitement," Andersen said in a university press release. "I wasn't looking for a job and I loved it at Southern Utah. Leaving was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, but the opportunity to coach and recruit at the highest level at my alma mater tipped the scales."

In his only season with Southern Utah, the T-Birds, a Div. I-AA independent, went 4-7, one year after finishing 1-10.

"It was very, very tough," Andersen said. "I have strong ties to both places. SUU is a good place, period. It's a good situation. I think it can be a quality I-AA program for a long period of time."

But what Utah had to offer — the ability for career advancement and an up-and-coming program — drew Andersen back to the place he left two years ago. He replaces Tuiasosopo, who left Utah a few weeks ago to join Mike Stoops' staff at Arizona.

"I get the opportunity to come into a Div. I program with a high national level right now," Andersen said. "I'm excited to get back and recruit my tail off and do everything I can to keep them at the level they should be at."

Andersen said he was offered the job Sunday night and he accepted it Tuesday. In the meantime he met with SUU athletic director Tom Douple and his team.