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USU football: Andersen is the Aggies' new guy

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True Aggie | 1:15 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Yipee!

bigutefan | 1:42 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Gary, I misjudged ya, I thought you were bright, how in the world do you justify throwing your promising coaching career down the drain in Logan. You have so much potential and deserve so much more, I think you are making a HUGE mistake. You'll never be able to recruit against the Utes and BYU. Playing for Weber State has more benefits than playing in Logan, not sure how you could even come to this decision, but I gave you too much credit while you were at Utah. Hopefully Kyle will still have an open position for you when your fired in three years, dude.........think!

Former Aggie | 1:54 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

As one who painfully endured the Chris Pella days, I think this is a great hire. The future looks bright, who knows, I might even quit throwing my Aggie Alum donation mail away before opening it.

Comments continue below

Strange | 3:46 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Why are they offering more $ to a guy who hasn't even proven himself as a head coach there? USU must be very desperate. Andersen should have stayed where he could win. Guess he'll learn the hard way.

Tork | 4:50 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Hopefully he lasts longer at USU than he did at SUU.

redrockcoug | 5:33 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

I'm Cougar blue through and through, but this is a great pick for USU and I wish Anderson and his staff the best until they play my team. He has shown great creativity over the years against our team in particular and I think he'll do a great job. Can our state support three strong D-1 programs? We'll see.

Congrats to Gary | 6:12 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Now maybe you can show everybody (except Weber St. they already do it) how to really recruit this state.

South Carolina Aggie | 6:17 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Let's all get on board now and help Coach Andersen be as good as he can be. I case anyone does not understnad what I'm saying OPEN YOUR pocket book and give!

Good Luck | 6:26 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

You will need it.

old man winter | 6:30 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

In three years when he is 5-31, there will be a new search for a new coach.

maddog | 6:45 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

What a mistake, here you have a guy who has done absolutely nothing. He did not make Utah into a good defense, that was all Whittingham. this guy has held on to Kyle's coat tail to land a head coaching job and the Aggies were dumb enough to take the bate. Given the other coaches to choose from this will only delay USU returning to the days of good football!

good luck | 6:50 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Interesting that a fancy locker room somehow makes people play better football. USU has been an utter failure at football for decades. Why should that change now?

9 wins in 4 years?!? And more than likely 4 of those wins are against New Mexico, which somehow manages to be worse at football than USU. Who would have guessed that was even possible?

Let's face it. This guy has a long road ahead. If they expect his magical recruiting abilities to turn things around they better give him more than 4 years to prove himself. USU has an abysmal reputation in football. Recruiting won't be easy.

Aggies? | 6:53 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Another coach in the dumpster.

Mark | 6:55 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

IMO we will miss Brent Guy

Dallas Aggie | 7:14 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

I am definitely excited about our new coach. I hope he can truly become an Aggie. Logan is a great place to live and raise a family, so I am sure he will like it. The funny thing about our football program, is that I have never once received a big blue mailer or request for donations. Perhaps they should work on their marketing techniques. I will definitely open up and contribute to the coaching fund etc.

Go Aggies!

Excellent Coach | 7:20 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Gary is an amazing recruiter and coach. He can see talent and pull in big players because they know he sends them to the NFL. I already like Utah State in the WAC...and I am very happy that they landed this coach. As a Ute fan too, he will be very much missed. I think something must be going on at Utah for him to leave the Whittingham coaching team. He and Kyle got along fine but I bet Kyle is getting some great offers that he can't overlook.

Go Aggies!!! I think I will be sending some money to them this year as an alumni.

Cats | 7:25 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

TO BIGUTEFAN: ANY assistant who has a chance to be a head coach will take it. This is a great chance for Andersen to show what he can do. I wish him all the best.

It sure would be nice if he could find some way to get the frat boys at USU to stop acting my total immature jerks at games. Oh well, I guess that's too much to ask.

Andersen bot the answer | 7:30 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

If you are going to take a chance on someone they should have taken a chance on Walker.

Anonymous | 7:41 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Oh noooooo! They should have taken Ludwig.

Dr. J | 7:47 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

This is a no-brainer for Gary. He doesn't have to beat BYU and UU, or even Boise State, he only has to show well in the WAC. And, that's very doable. Once he turns the program around and he starts winning 7 games a couple of years in a row, he can go on to that bigger paycheck. And I bet he does it within his current contract timeline. If he can't turn it around, then it's still and institutional problem, not a coaching problem.

Aggie Grad | 7:52 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Hm. I wonder if they talked to SUU before they hired him. Something about broken commitments worries the heck out of me. Successfull or not, he'll be gone in four years.

Colo. Aggie | 7:58 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

I haven't been this excited about Aggie athletics for a long time! I was wanting to see John L. return. But, I think picking Gary Anderson with his credentials and Utah recruiting capability was also a great choice. Several factors have converged here that really bode well for the future of USU football. Anderson inherits what appears to be some good young talent, he has facilities, and he has the WAC. He also appears to have solid support from the Administration in the form of funding. These are all factors for success that previous coaches never had. ITS NOW TIME FOR US AS FANS TO STEP UP AND SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM! We need people to attend games. I live in Colorado. But, I'm planning to make the drive and attend at least 2 games next year. Hopefully, Aggie fans closer to Logan with do at least that. WE NOW NEED BUTTS IN THE SEATS!!!!

PLEASE | 8:00 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Whittingham has won all these games for Utah without help from his assistants. Oh please. Whillingham might be good but he is not that good. His ego is big enough to claim that. Give Anderson a chance.

RE: Cats | 8:01 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Uh, wrong. Norm Chow is a zillionaire because he hasn't taken the head coach bait and stayed doing what he does best.

AggieFan74 | 8:07 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Congradulations Coach Andersen! As one Aggie fan I expect no less than five wins next fall! Otherwise you will have just taken Brent Guys players and mailed it in! I can't wait to see if your the football genius and master recruiter you where made out to be!

Brian | 8:17 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Welcome, welcome, coach Andersen! We're thrilled to have you at USU. Go Big Blue!

Sweet! | 8:17 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

I wanted Walker but I think this is awesome! Utah fans are suddenly worried that they will be losing recruits and football games to us in the future and they disquise it by saying "Anderson is headed to the black hole, and this is a dead end". Well guess what? Pretty soon Utah fans, we might be better than you in football and basketball...

Re: old man winter | 8:20 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Cynical, but true.

Boston Aggie | 8:21 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Welcome to the program Coach Andersen, and I'm looking forward to being one of the observers and supporters of USU Aggie Football.

Go Aggies!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay Blue | 8:42 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

I wonder if he'll bring Ryan Zimmerman back to the QB?! After all, Andersen got him to go to SUU, and got him to leave SUU when he left to go back to Utah. Then he tried to get RZ to go to Utah. USU needs a QB, better go get the hometown hero that WON'T jump to the dark side and go to BYU?!

Utes Rule | 8:56 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Gary did a great job recuiting to a perenial Winner in UTAH vs the worst team in college football! He will have to be a magician, for Utah to lose recruits to USU! Good luck to Gary, certainly there had to be better offers!

USU HOOPS | 8:58 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

We are allready better at them in basketball, ever since Majerus left we have dominated! Go Stew! Go Gary! USU is back!

To Stay Blue | 9:01 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Did you watch any USU games this year? The one position where USU did just fine this year is at QB. I'm not saying that Borel is the next Peyton Manning or Tim Tebow, but he's got great running ability, and towards the end of the season he was showing some great arm strength and control. The fact that he is only a Sophomore means he has a couple of years to mature, so I don't think we need to worry about the QB spot right now.

Hero of Canton | 9:01 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Good for Coach A, he has a good rep and the ability to turn that program around.

The downside is that now we go 6-6 next year at the U because we won't have a defensive coordinator to save us from the horrific Ludwig play calling...without Anderson we are easily 8-4 this year...

Can't USU take Ludwig along too? I guarantee we can find enough $ in the U boosters to pay for a year's worth of Ludwig salary at USU if that gets him away from our program permanently

DEFENSIVE GUY | 9:08 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

We hired another defensive GUY. What was wrong with trying an Offensive guy this time around. Canales would have been perfect. Lucky for him he didn't get it though.

sob | 9:20 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

hate to lose you gary but, would like to see some success for the ags and i think you can do it. good luck

big time utah fan... | 9:20 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Wish GA lots of luck!!

Re: Sweet! | 9:23 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

"Utah fans are suddenly worried that they will be losing recruits and football games to us in the future..."

"Pretty soon Utah fans, we might be better than you in football and basketball..."

Are you serious? Utah = #6 IN THE COUNTRY. If USU were to somehow get to a bowl game, much less break into the top 25, Andersen will be gone to greener (and warmer) pastures. If USU has a winning record in the next two years I will be shocked. I hate to burst your bubble, but you are talking about the Utes here. Best of Luck.

RE; RE Cats 801 | 9:28 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

The whole reason Norm left the State of Utah is because he was furious and still is that the Y did not give him the head coaching job when Edwards retired. He wanted that Job and would have gladly taken it. However, it was not offered and if you have not noticed coaches over the age of 40 are not wanted in college football anymore as the head guy. They want young and hip. That said I would take Norm over Ludwig anyday.

Aggiejump | 9:30 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

5 to 7 wins a year would be excellent. A trip to a bowl game every few years would be excellent. Aggie fans are like Cub fans win or lose (mostly lose FB) we are loyal fans. USU is a gold mine now with talent, facilities (indoor practice field, new football complex coaches offices, meeting-film rooms, Academic Center, Training Room) all they needed was a good coaching scheme. Andersen will bring the Utah spread with Deondre Borel can run and Andersen recruiting will bring the program up with even more talent. Thanks Brent for leaving it better than you found it and Gary it is now your time to shine.

Obviously Undereducated | 9:32 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Walker is the DC of arguably the PAC-10's worst defense; "Sugar" Baer has come down from DC at places like Washington and Notre Dame to become linebacker coach at San Jose (and lost the last beauty contest to Guy); "Chico" Canales has come down from OC at Arizona to become passing game guru at South Florida (and lost the last beauty contest to Guy); "Lucifer" Smith was fired from Michigan State after reaching his level of incompetence.

Assistant head coach and DC at this year's BCS-buster who apparently wowed 'em all in his preparation and interviewing skills?

This is a no-brainer.

Don't expect much in '09, but in '10? Bowl eligibility is probable.

GOAGS!

come on | 9:33 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

how many head coaching jobs were BYU coaches offered, or how many times did broncos name come up on bigger coaching vacancies? oh right none. Props to anderson, he is a great coach and a leader and Utah State lucked up by getting him. To the USU fans, if you think this will take recuiting away from Utah, you are sorley misinformed, you may be on the rise but you are still the 4th football team in the state behind Utah, BYU, Weber State.

RE: Bigutefan | 9:34 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Let me get this straight. You think staying on at Utah as an assistant coach is better than going on to another FBS school as a head coach. You really think your program is that great? I know you are under the delusion that the Utah football program is now a national power, but your programï¿½s a fluke. You are Hawaii 2.0. I am eagerly anticipating the Sugar Bowl and the nationally exposure of an overrated team. Do you seriously think you can hang with Alabama or Florida in the Sugar Bowl? Last year Georgia, the second place SEC team took the Warriors out behind the woodshedï¿½41-10. This year both Florida and Alabama are better than that Georgia team, and the Utes are not nearly as prolific as that Hawaii team. Alabama wins 63-3 with Gary Andersen watching from his living room.

Kruger | 9:44 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Any truth to the rumor that Kruger will not only anchor the Ute D, but also be named as D coordinator?

Re: Sweet | 9:45 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

As a Ute fan..I promise we are not worried about losing to Utah State. Utah will be playing in a BCS game this year and USU will be...uhh...thinking about their coach for next year. Not even comparable and too much ground to make up for USU to worry about them. We keep saying he is headed to a black hole because...he is. Look at the program since 1975...terrible and the very definition of "black hole".

I am worried about filling his absense and about Anderson trying to steal away assistants at Utah that made their defense great. Maybe going to the BCS game isn't worth it...we lose all of our coaching staff each year we do it. Whitt will just have to keep proving that he can get good talent....not only on the field but as his assistant coaches.

Chain reaction | 9:46 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

rumor has it that Anderson will be taking a couple of Utah assistant coaches with him.

Utah may get lucky with keeping Whittingham. Texas Tech coach Mike Leach has interviewed for the Washington position, which could keep Kyle at Utah.

If Kyle were to leave, chances are, he'd take most of the remaining assistant coaches with him and Utah's entire football program would be left in disarray; especially since they already have the task of rebuilding their entire offense next season.

Not good for the MWC. Three strong teams is much better than having only two.

Re: Sweet | 10:03 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

BCS two times in 5 years. Good luck recruiting against the utes, and byu. these programs have so much more recognition than usu its not even funny. the utes and cougers will get the best players from the state of utah plus good players from other states, while the lowly aggies will get scraps from other teams. keep dreaming guy. and good for coach anderson, but i hate to say it, usu is not going to work for you. you better hope that utah doesnt find another good defensive coordinator to take your place. usu, get real pal, you must not watch this team play football, i think alta might beat them.

SoCalAggie | 10:12 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

to all the Aggie haters, grow up! We know it's sour grapes with Ute fans, as would be expected. It's ok, USU has to do what USU has to do. Do most of you really thin the world would be a better place w/o USU football? Think about really, our two conferences (the WAC and MWC) are tied to eachother much closer than you really think. We depend on eachother being decent programs to help propel the other. We're the only non-BCS conferences in the West. A strong USU is ultimately good for the WAC, the MWC, Utah and BYU. Especially if we have to play eachother every so often... or every year. Don't B&M too much, we haven't beaten you in Basketball this year YET. You'll all have your day to hate the Aggies for real reasons.

TruUSUblue | 10:20 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Let's be realistic, fantastic would be GA winning 3-4 games next year. In 2010 the aggies might get competitive after the past 33 years and win 5-6 games.
Anything better than that would be a miracle, and I don't think God cares who wins football games. If He answered my prayers BYU would lose every game.

Cats | 10:31 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

to Re: Cats: Norm Chow wanted to be head coach at BYU and didn't get chosen. It hurt him, but he has gone on and done extremely well. That's great.

Gary Andersen has this new opportunity and he's taking it. He's a perfect fit. He has strong ties to the state, understands the local recruiting situation and culture and is an excellent coach. He's just what USU needs right now and I think he'll do great.

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