Utah Utes football: Andersen returns to practice

Utah's first Sugar Bowl practice included a familiar face, defensive coordinator turned Utah State head coach Gary Andersen.

"Nothing's really changed," said Andersen, who will assist the Utes in their Jan. 2 game against Alabama in the Louisiana Superdome. "It was good to see some of the kids today. I haven't seen them. I didn't have a chance to talk to everybody, so it was great to get back out here and at least see everybody's face."

Andersen is juggling duties with both the Utes and Aggies these days. He does so with the blessing of each institution.

Before finals week at USU, Andersen got his new team settled about the coaching change, began putting his staff together and started recruiting.

With school getting out a week earlier in Logan, the timing worked out well for Andersen to finish what he started at Utah and keep up with his duties at USU.

Things were finalized after a meeting with his former boss Kyle Whittingham.

"It's great. It's been an easy transition," Andersen said. "These kids are awesome and I'm happy to be part of this game."

USU fans take note. Though Andersen dons red gear at practice, he switches back to blue shortly thereafter.

"I've got a change of clothes in the car and away we go," said Andersen, who acknowledged feeling a bit like a "super hero" while flipping out of one outfit and into another.

Andersen plans to coach Utah's defensive line against Alabama. Whittingham, however, said his long-time assistant may also do a share of coordinating as well.

"I think it's important that we are as close to how we were during the course of the season in this football game," said Whittingham, who noted the Utes tried to do the same thing before their Fiesta Bowl win over Pittsburgh in January 2005 when many of the coaches were headed to Florida.

Andersen's involvement in Thursday's practice at the Spence Eccles Field House made the initial bowl practice extra special for defensive players like cornerback Sean Smith.

"It feels good to be back out there with the whole team — getting ready and getting our legs back for this challenge we've got ahead of us on Jan. 2," Smith said.

Utah's first session was a light one with no pads. Whittingham, who was impressed with his team's conditioning, said things will gradually increase as the game draws near.