Utah State football: Gary Andersen wears extra hat to help 'weak link'

LOGAN — A year ago, Utah State head football coach Gary Andersen, a defensive coordinator and line coach at heart, watched as his undersized and outmanned defensive line was pushed around the field, creating all manner of problems for the rest of the defense.

And nobody, no matter how hard the Utah State players played, took it as personally as the Aggies' first-year coach.

"I decided that I am not a Division I head football coach that wants to sit on the sideline and fold my arms," Andersen said Wednesday after USU's third practice of fall camp. "It's just not my mentality."

And so he traded one hat for another — or, rather, put on one extra hat — and thrust himself into coaching the defensive line again.

"It's still an area where our kids and coaches ... it's where we have got to work every day to get better," he said. "We've got to take the next step and start making plays."

Andersen said that despite solid effort, the Aggie line simply wasn't able to hold its own against bigger, stronger and more experienced lines.

The Aggie players agreed.

"We definitely felt like we were the weak link," junior Levi Koskan said. "We've put a lot of pressure on ourselves to improve our pass rush and to stop the run."

Koskan, a Sky View High product, said the coaching staff puts a priority on putting players with the right temperament on the line and then has placed a big emphasis on growing those players into the right bodies for the job. An offseason of hitting the weight room, Koskan said, has resulted in going from a 220-pound sophomore to a 245-pound junior.

"They're recruiting players that fit the personality of the position," Koskon said, "and for us, a lot of our discussions have been about our overall attitude. We want to be the strong point of the defense."

Andersen wants that, as well.

"We're trying to get things right there," he said.

And assuming a greater portion of the coaching duties, Andersen said, will hopefully bring those results.

"I felt I needed to get back to my roots," Andersen said. "That's been my baby as a coach."

The hands-on approach has given Andersen a new attitude, as well.

"I love the environment of teaching kids football," he said. "In fact, I would say I wake up more excited for practice."

The Aggies continue camp through the weekend, with a scrimmage set for Monday.

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