Utah Utes football: A lasting goodbye for coach Andersen

NEW ORLEANS — Gary Andersen says he wakes up every morning with a smile on his face.

Utah's soon-to-be departing defensive coordinator, who is the new head coach at Utah State, may get a bit misty eyed after the Sugar Bowl.

"It's not going to be easy," he admitted.

And in more ways than one.

Besides departing his alma mater, where he returned as an assistant coach from 1997-2002 and 2004 to now, Andersen faces a daunting task in trying to slow Alabama's physical offense.

A victory, though, is his aim. It's the way Andersen would like to end his tenure in red.

"Gary is very competitive and so I'm sure he wants to leave on a positive note," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "What Gary has done for our program cannot be overstated. He's just been so instrumental in our success. I hate to see him leave."

The extended departure has been bittersweet as Andersen has juggled his two jobs.

"It's been so crazy. It's been a whirlwind back and forth," he said.

Andersen's emotions have also been put to the test. He noted that his last practice with the Utes in Salt Lake City was a little different.

"When you're at a place so long there will be a little bit of emotions tied with that," said Andersen, who doesn't think things will really hit him until the game is over. "It's a great opportunity and time to move on and go, but any time you're with a bunch of kids for so long and a bunch of coaches, it's always going to be a little bit emotional at the end."

The Utes should have a seamless transition at defensive coordinator. Linebackers coach Kalani Sitake will take over after the Sugar Bowl.

"We move on," Whittingham said. "Kalani becomes our new coordinator and we're excited about that. I think he's going to do a great job."

NOT NOW: Defensive end Paul Kruger was looking forward to facing Outland Trophy winner Andre Smith in the Sugar Bowl.

"He's not going to get that opportunity right now," Andersen said after Smith, a junior, was suspended by Alabama coach Nick Saban for violating undisclosed team rules. "But they'll probably match up someday in the (NFL)."

The matchup was one of the most highly anticipated in Friday's game.