Deseret News | Utah State football lands two California JC defensive stalwarts

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Utah State football lands two California JC defensive stalwarts

Andersen a coup | 12:51 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Utah State sure got a coup when they convinced Gary Andersen to coach their woeful team. Is there anyone in Utah who, after watching the Sugar Bowl, thinks the Aggies should have hired someone else? I was a big John L. Smith supporter, but Andersen is one of the hottest commodities in college football, and the Aggies should be counting their lucky starts that they got him.

And to any out there that say Utah State shouldn't have hired him because he'll jump ship the first chance he gets, the only candidate who possibly wouldn't do the same would be Baer, who grew up in Cache Valley and may be too old to want to move again to another college (and who may be too old for any other team to be interested, assuming he wins games). But who in their right mind would choose Baer over Andersen after what we saw in the Sugar Bowl? Andersen is light years ahead of Baer. And if he leaves in three years, he will have further laid a strong foundation for Aggie football, and it will be a much more appealing destination for the next coach than it is currently. Go Aggies!

Hate to see him leave | 1:04 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Andersen will do great things in Logan. He'll have the Ags competing in the WAC very soon.
He'll also have them beating byu in no time, if byu is brave enough to schedule the Aggies.

Andersen coup | 1:09 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

While I agree he is a good coach and this is a good hire for Utah State there is a huge difference between the type of guys he will sign that Utah will sign. I dont care about the defense they are going to run at USU. USU will be quite possibly the 4 college choice in Utah. Next to Utah, BYU and maybe even Snow yes Snow. I would rather take my chances at Snow and hopefully end up at a school that has more credibility than USU has until Andersen can prove himself as a HC. And you make noe mistake about the only reason the guys gave a verbal commit is that it was their best offer.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 1:10 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

"I'm used to winning and I think we can do that here, too."

Bah ha ha ha ha ha!

As much as I love coach Anderson It was still the worst choice he could have made.

At least the Ags have good Ice cream

Ute fan | 1:18 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I was bummed to see Anderson go, but I can't wait to watch the ags play Boise and smother em! Ags will surprise everyone and go 8-4 next season and play in a bowl.

Helen Wait | 1:25 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

So will he recruit any talent from The State of Utah, Or will he recruit outside Utah like all the Past Aggies Coaches?? We have some talent here in our State, it would be nice for our own Universities to take note with the exception of BYU But you cant be white to get a Scholarship their unless your Dad is High in the Church..........

Coach A | 2:08 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

From what I know Coach Anderson has already been in the Cache Valley high schools more that the past coaching staff. He is working on recruiting local talent and should get Cache Valley excited for USU football.

USU Fan | 2:16 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Stalwart? By who's standards?

Locals | 2:26 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Anderson has already got commitments from some local kids. A stud QB from Logan, some good linebacker from St. George and a few guys from Snow College. I'm a Utah fan that believes the WAC is weak which opens room for Utah State to make a bowl within three years. USU opens at Utah next year. It won't be pretty. Kyle will want to show the Padwon who is the Master.

cali native (RAW's BIG BRO) | 2:35 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

For those who don't know, California breeds great football players and programs. Winning programs are a dime a dozen out here because of competition, plus the caliber of football is a lot higher and faster back home. I wish the aggies nothin but the best including the recruits. Maybe this is what USU needs. New coaches, new blood. Nothing against utah but anything coming out of California I would bank on. Much love to the uso's comin out of ELCO.

NOW A FAN | 2:43 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

USU fan, see these 2 stalwart athletes at elcofootball com, click on prospects at the top, scroll to year 2009. go to sean #71 OL, reuben #15 MLB. that might ease your nerves a little. the highlights say it all.

Tough Schedule | 3:11 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

How about BYU's schedule next year in football? Oklahoma and Florida State baby!! Only weak game is Utah State.

Anderson | 3:08 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

May get enough kids and do an excellent job coaching and get them to 5 maybe 6 wins. That will open the door to a real job.

Deal with it aggie fans. You have won 15 games in the last 6 years. 6 total wins in the last 3 years. Luckily New Mexico St and Idaho are worse or you would have 2 wins in the last 3 years.

I love this quote from some clueless fan:

"He'll also have them beating byu in no time, if byu is brave enough to schedule the Aggies."

I am sure Bronco is doing everything he can to get them off the schedule. Maybe that is why he is out trying to get OU, so they can dodge a bullet in the mighty Aggies. LOL!!!!!!

Anonymous | 3:16 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

funny, there's not a person alive that honestly believes a kid would, on his own will, chose Snow College over Utah State.

While the Aggies are pretty poor most years, Snow College has a bowl game up the road to play in and maybe five or six kids each year that are good enough to go D-I.

Kids go to Snow to play football for one of three reasons: No one else wants them, they are 'placed' there by other colleges or they can't academically qualify to get into another school.

Re: Locals | 3:29 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

You mean, leftover locals, right?

High ranking optimisim | 3:35 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

This is the highest level of optimism I've seen on an Aggie board. Usually it nothing but a bunch of Aggies whining about this and that.

But really, let's be honest about the situation. USU football is going to remain USU football. That is a cellar dweller in bad conference. Gary will be coordinating the defense at Webser St or SUU in 5 years.

But by all means don't let me crash your high hopes.

knowwhat | 3:41 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

re:locals> nobody from snow has been offered a scholarship, excepth maybe to walk on. Are you sure GA is not taking tips from Bronco? Everybody gives GA the credit for the Utah defense, it was really and always will be Whittingham, GA was just along for the ride and it paid off. Temporarily?

Dallas Aggie | 3:46 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I must admit I was one willing to allow Brent Guy another year to show what he had built. But, I am more excited than ever about our program now that we have Anderson at the helm. His defense was amazing against Alabama. One of the funnest games to watch ever. Great job on the recruits!

hsfootballfan | 4:06 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

re: Helen waiting on a brain,

You need some help!

Highlights | 4:14 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Just watched the highlights. These 2 guys looked good playing against HS players in front of 30 spectators. We'll see how they do in front of real crowds against D1 competition.

Both are 5'10"

That's pretty small even for HS.

SOMEWHERE | 6:04 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Un-defeated SNOW COLLEGE would find it difficult to compete with El Camino. El Camino plays in the toughest JUCO Conference in America.

You have got to start somewhere.

Kudos to Anderson for giving these two an opportunity to contribute.

re: Tough Schedul | 10:32 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

BYU's only weak opponent is USU? What about Tulane, Wyoming, San Diego State, UNLV? Weak, weak, weak, and .... uh .... WEAK!

TALK | 12:34 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Talk is cheap! Anyone can make any ridiculous claim they want on this board, and anonymously never have to back it up. Personally I think both the doomsday prophets about USU football, as well as the overly optimistic, may be a bit off on their predictions. Time will tell! My own prognostication is that Andersen WILL turn the USU football program around, but to say that it is going to happen in his first year might be somewhat unrealistic.

WHAT?? | 3:58 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Hey: TALK | 12:34 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

What do you mean by 'Turn the program around"? Around to what? Back to 4 wins a year? USU had 3 wins last year, 2 the year before and 1 the year before that. They are already on pace for 4 wins.

USU football is a joke and always will be.

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