Deseret News | Utah State football: Aggies' Andersen hires 2 Weber St. assistants

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Utah State football: Aggies' Andersen hires 2 Weber St. assistants

Striker | 7:09 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

USU, if they want to get respect, need to be hiring better coaches than these. They play in D1 and need that experience. They can't be getting people who coaches at a bad lower division program like SUU, and Weber's defense hasn't been anything noteworthy the last few years. Not impressed with the hires, but then, it's next to impossible to get excellent coaches to come to Logan when they could go to bigger and winning programs.

wildfan | 8:43 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

The defense was the WEAK link on Webers team this year, and will probably improve with these 2 guys gone. Really good hire USU LOL

RE:Striker | 8:49 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

Did you not see what Weber State did this year? The record they had, how far they got in the playoffs? I know the two coaches from Weber State real well, and they are more than qualified. Sit down with them,talk X's and O's, recruiting, developing players, and you will change your tune. Look at the talent that is coming into Weber, Mac doesn't do all the recruiting up their. You are also saying Coach A doesnt know what he is doing. I bet when Utah State is winning in a year or two, you will be a "bandwagon" fan.

Comments continue below

Former Coach | 9:13 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

You guys bagging on these coaches have no idea what you are talking about. Both of these coaches are great hires. Klune is one of the best Defensive coaches around, and he would be more than qualified as a Defensive Coordinator let alone a position coach. Coach Chad is a top D-line coach and would give USU in-roads into recruiting Hawaii and the polynesian players. These guys are going to be part of a huge turn around at USU.

Not sure... | 9:14 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

I'm not sold... I agree that if USU wants to keep the excitment up they need to get some better coaches. I know Weber did really well this year but I would think we could get guys from more accredited programs as our coordinators and staff. I'll give them a chance but I'm just not on them nor am I as excited.

Why | 9:17 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

Couldn't we get Canales as an assistant coach and OC? Wouldn't it be better pay than what he's making as a QB coach at USF... Any thoughts?

Wildcat 50 | 10:11 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

C'mon everyone, it's all about one thing......more money. Coach Mac just got his contract renewed and said all of his assistants were happy also, and they would have job security for 4 more years. Maybe they feel that going to a D1A program was not a reality in their future, until this came along.

This is business, great chance for both of these guys to advance their careers. For the record, both of these coaches are good people, we wish them the best, thanks for the memories, let's move on. And please, start fresh, no need to hand pick from Weber's returning players to build USU's program; at least have that much class.

Coach Mac has been around the track and back, I have all the faith that he will fill the positions with competent and qualified coaches.

I BACK MAC
WEBER STATE WEBER STATE GREAT GREAT GREAT

mistake | 10:15 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

I'm blown away by GA making a move like this.. especially when I see the scrubs he's hiring as assistants. Why would you leave quality at the U for the mess he's getting himself into in Logan?

re: mistake | 11:37 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

I wouldn't say it's a mistake. I think the correct word is risky. Anderson is taking a huge risk going to Logan. But if you know anything about investments the riskiest investments have the highest rate of return. Sure, staying at the U would have been the safest choice and chances of failure are greater at USU. But if Coach Anderson has any success in Logan than USU is his spring board to far greater things than being an assistant at the U. For Coach Anderson the potential reward is obviously worth the risk.

Poor Hire in Assistants | 11:56 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

GA knows this program is a mess. Don't know how much money he has to get assistants but he must do better than that. These hires will determine his success.

UW hired Sarkisian, which is a big time hire. He won't just go and get scrubs to replace the worst coaching staff in the nation.

GA, step up the hires!!!

re: Wildcat 50 | 11:58 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

When Coach A left Southern Utah he took their best players to the U with him.. what kid isn't going to jump at the chance to go big? I think USU is going to get some great players from Webers program just watch..

to: mistake | 12:10 p.m. Dec. 9, 2008

It's a mistake to become a head coach? To nearly triple your salary? What's the worst that happens? What if he fails as a head coach? Easy. He becomes a defensive coordinator again. It's only a risk if you're going out to lose something, which GA is NOT.

Also, why is it a bad hire to take Weber's DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR and make him our LINEBACKERS coach. I think Gary Anderson is a smart guy and is choosing the guys that will make him a winner at USU.

keep Dickey | 1:09 p.m. Dec. 9, 2008

I hope Andersen keeps Dickey as OC. The offense was averaging over 30 points a game the last half of the season. If Borel has to learn a new system, it will take him a half dozen games to be comfortable with it, and Andersen can't afford to go 0-6. Keep the momentum going on the offensive side of the ball and retain Dickey!

I know there are some Aggie fans that hate Dickey because he never opened up the playbook for Leon Johnson, but that was because Johnson was inept and threw countless interceptions returned for touchdowns. With the right QB, Dickey opened up the playbook, and once that QB became comfortable with the system, the offense piled up points. The fact that an OC can convert a wide receiver into a D-1 quarterback that scores 30 points per game says something. Plus, Dickey was a very successful head coach at North Texas. I don't think Andersen can do better with another choice.

Striker | 2:00 p.m. Dec. 9, 2008

Even if you know a coach and he's a good guy, it doesn't mean he's a coach who is a master at his position. In Weber's best year, he only managed to be in about 70th place in total defense in their division. If you hire someone in the top level of football who ranks there, you'd really be scratching your head. The fact that the guy is coming from a lower division to the top division is enough to make you scratch your head even more.
One thing I will say is that in 2004, Weber won one game. In 2005 when he arrived, they won 6 and offenses weren't scoring enough.

Good thing he's coming into a poorer conference and the offense shows great signs of promise so at least maybe, just maybe, they can be bowl eligible in a few years.

Don't keep Dickey | 2:05 p.m. Dec. 9, 2008

I hope that GA doesn't keep any of the offensive coaches. They need to do better than what has been here. He already has Rushing from the last staff so call it good and and don't make the mistake of keeping more. They were fired for a reason!

Re: keep dickey | 2:50 p.m. Dec. 9, 2008

Seeing as how you don't even know Leon Jackson from Leon Johnson, it shows how little you know about football. Dickey is horrible. He will never be another offensive coordinator. Those dives, bubble screens and horizontal passes just didn't get the job done, and they never would. Dickey belongs in the old Big 8 conference 30 years ago.

Former Coach is right | 10:07 p.m. Dec. 9, 2008

You are exactly right-"Coach Chad getting the pipeline to Polynesia and Hawa'ii." Gary A knows what he is doing and he is building on a program that was improving. He also has a reputation for putting big guys in the NFL. He pulled in some assistants with super potential and ability.

No need to call me Band wagon fan in a few years because I am alumni and I am with him now.

Go Aggies.

Foolish | 10:19 p.m. Dec. 9, 2008

Is he if he goes out of state for Poly kids. There are plenty here in Utah. The ony quesiton is if the Poly's can qualify to play D1. Most have a hard time getting cleared by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Re:Striker, earth to Striker | 11:48 p.m. Dec. 9, 2008

Anderson doesn't need anyone to teach him how to coach a defense, are you a BYU fan? Just say yes we know you love to bash on the Aggies. Regardless of who you cheer for or against Anderson knows the schemes, X's and O's if you will. LOOK AT HIS RECORD-he is the HEAD COACH right? He needs people WHO CAN RECRUIT. Great hires! WSU has more Poly's this year and hence more success than they have had in years, that is not rocket science, just facts. Anderson knows what he is doing. The more important knowledge positions will be on Offense where he doesn't have the same expertise. Finding someone who can recruit AND coach will be the bigger issue on O.

Good try Striker but your logic smells like something from Provo.

To Striker | 12:07 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008

You need to crawl back under your bridge Troll. Is your glass ever half full? What a negative individual you are.

Football God | 9:35 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008

It is funny that people are bagging on these coaches. I wonder how many have seen them coach in practice to know if they are good coaches or not. I personally have watched these two coaches at many Weber practices and they are as good as they come whether it is NAIA, D2 or D1. Give them and Gary a chance. They will produce wins.

Utah State Wildcats | 10:13 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008

Can you say USU Wildcats?

Maybe in a few years when the 2 football teams play the Aggies might have a chance to beat WEber....

CatFan | 4:47 p.m. Dec. 10, 2008

You can say its business, whatever. I think it blows that we get half our staff taken away in one swipe. Doesn't Gary Anderson have any other sources. Come On!

RE Foolish | 9:55 p.m. Dec. 13, 2008

Wow if that wasnt a ignorant comment i dont know what is. Just because you are a poly doesnt mean you cant qualify. get a life.

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