Deseret News | Utah State football: New coach looking for patience as team rebuilds

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Utah State football: New coach looking for patience as team rebuilds

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Dallas Aggie | 9:16 p.m. April 13, 2009

Great article and I for one am certain that Coach Anderson and our current players are the ones that can change it up! I think the players that Brent Guy recruited have been and are a great group of guys. Poor Guy took the beat down of a career in taking over our program, but I know that his players respected him, and now have a chance to shine under a new and more motivational coach. Go Aggies!

Eborn | 10:02 p.m. April 13, 2009

It is ironic I always find myself on the Dnews for Aggie news. Jared you do a fine job of covering our team, which is only slightly ironic.

I don't think the Aggies will be good I know they can be, they have been before.

I am not one who believes we will beat Utah anytime soon but we can certainly be competitive within the WAC which is certainly a starting point.

I do think despite the record we made steps last year but Anderson can bring us to a level I am certain Guy never would have.

Go Ags.

LONG GONE | 10:09 p.m. April 13, 2009

I hope the players will be able to roll with the "gut punch" they receive from Anderson, when, not if, he moves on to another program. Check with the players he left at SUU to see how the process works.

The only reason a coach would go to Logan is to build a resume and then move on. The "move on" part is what Anderson will do as soon as the "opportunity" presents itself.

Why can't the players "dump" their coaches with the same impunity given to coaches?

Comments continue below

Re;Long Gone | 10:44 p.m. April 13, 2009

true enough but who cares. If you are asking me if I would prefer to have a "tenured" Guy or a shot in the arm from Anderson I will take Anderson any time. Sure Anderson will be here 1 or 2 and then gone that is college sports. The key is that we continue to make solid hiring decisions as USU is a stepping stone program, in reality most programs are.

BYU has the church angle which I thinks keeps guys around a little longer to really long (Lavell), and that is cool with me.

I want a coach who will improve the program THIS year. I don't want to keep a coach who will keep us mired WELL BELOW mediocrity.

I could give you an anology but the DNews would block it for sure.

Anyway I like the hire and I will still when he leaves in a year or two.

To Long Gone | 8:05 a.m. April 14, 2009

Urban used Utah as a "stepping stone" then got out and went to Florida. But look what happened with the team. He got the ball rolling, and the new administration has been able to keep that ball rolling.

If he leaves that is just fine with me, as long as he leaves things better than when he found them.

And one more thing, there are a lot of reasons why a person would want to be a long time coach at Utah State. Sure, you're not going to be competing for a national title every year, but Cache Valley is a wonderful place to live your life and raise your family.

Re: To Long Gone | 9:03 a.m. April 14, 2009

"...but Cache Valley is a wonderful place to live your life and raise your family."

Um, no it isn't.

Let's be Realistic | 9:17 a.m. April 14, 2009

USU will never be able to compete for a WAC championship. I'm sorry, but it's the truth. They will always be in the bottom half. In order to establish a winning attitude and a consistent feeling of accomplishment, they need to drop down to 1AA and join the conference that includes Southern Utah and Weber State. Now all of the sudden, not only does USU have the opportunity to compete for a conference championship , but maybe even a national championship. If this proves to be successful over a long period of time, then maybe, just maybe a return to D1 could be possible.

Re: Re: To Long Gone | 9:19 a.m. April 14, 2009

"Um, no it isn't."

Yes, it is. Love it. Beautiful. Spacious. Quiet. What's not to like?

Anonymous | 9:31 a.m. April 14, 2009

Some of you people are an example of the attitude Coach Andersen is working to change....

And by the way Cache Valley is a great place to live and raise a family. I left for career reasons, was gone for over 10 years. I was thrilled to be able to move back a few years ago. This is the greatest place in the world to raise a family.

Re: Realistic | 9:36 a.m. April 14, 2009

You have now idea what you are talking about. The Aggies were a miracle field 58-yard field goal from finishing in the top half of the WAC last year. There is no reason for the Aggies to go the 1-AA route.

Guy | 10:16 a.m. April 14, 2009

Wasn't he supposed to make the program back to a winning program? He lost more games than he won each year except last year. Nothing is certain with the program until we see results in a few years.

I too believe that USU would do better competing in a lower division. They get all the leftover recruits that Boise, Utah, BYU, Wyoming, and even UNLV don't get. They often look totally confused and unfocused when playing the top caliber competition and it's embarrassing to watch.

I've never lived in Logan, but I imagine that it's like any other larger rural community in the state. To me, it's just as good living there as it would be in Cedar City or St. George, and I've been to all 3 places many, many times.

Utah Mann | 10:27 a.m. April 14, 2009

The Aggies will be a decent team under coach A this year. He is a great coach and motivator. I will go out on a limb and say the Aggies win 5 games this year (possibly more). They have a great core of athletes coming back. Look at the soph running back and their QB, both great players. USU always has decent lineman. With coach A coaching up the defense they should win at least 5 games, possibly even upsetting the cougs (that would be classic).

Re lets be realistic | 11:17 a.m. April 14, 2009

I don't know why I am constantly surprized by comments like yours... Why do people think there is this gigantic amount of disparity in DivI sports? It is simply not true... Yes there are some really good teams and conferences like the SEC that are pretty consistant top to bottom, but college football is very competative. You are very naive if you think USU could never be competative in the WAC. So lets be realistic- these are Div I athletes with Div I talent that USU has, these are also DivI coaches and facilities. USU will be very competative, and it will happen sooner than you think!!!! Go Aggies!!!!!

Would be nice... | 11:26 a.m. April 14, 2009

If we could get behind a coach and show him our appreciation and commitment- then maybe they'd be convinced to stick around because they love Cache Valley, like Coach Morrill.

What? | 11:34 a.m. April 14, 2009

"...possibly even upsetting the cougs..." Typical yewt fan making stupid comments about the Cougars. I agree that USU could win five games this year, but a win over BYU in Lavell Edwards Stadium is not going to happen. BYU's little brothers up north in RES might want to watch out, though. Everybody knows they're going to be weak this year.

whatever | 11:57 a.m. April 14, 2009

first of all, of course andersen is one of the people who believes USU can improve... he took the head coaching job, didn't he? ...and who got shown the door after A COUPLE losing seasons? more like four or five.

Unfortunately Surprised | 1:27 p.m. April 14, 2009

Ok, I get on here to read an article about USU football, and what comes up...somebody makes a positive comment about Cache Valley...they like where they live. Nothing wrong with that, and then what happens, some loser knocks on somebody's area that they call home. Seriously people, lets try and use some common decency. Just because you can hide behind your computer and make rude anonymous comments doesnt mean you should. Stay on topic and lets try and DISCUSS rather than ARGUE about comments. Words are words, whether spoken or typed. If you wouldn't say it in person, don't type it.

Funny thing is...I'm a BYU fan, and I wish the best of luck to USU. Having another Utah school get some respect can only help other Utah schools.

P.S. I don't live in Cache Valley...I live in the east, and trust me...if theres an area to knock on, I'll be happy to give some suggestions :) haha.

Please Aggies | 4:32 p.m. April 14, 2009

Just do it. The chest bumps can wait until after something happens.

Cal Ute | 4:53 p.m. April 14, 2009

I would like to wish the best for the Utah State Football team and their fans. Your new coach is a good man and will help take the program to a new level in the WAC. No reason to take a step down when you can play with the best in the WAC. I still wonder why good player would want to play in Boise. I would prefer Logan any time. By the way, I live in sunny Southern California, but I will never forget being a kid and having many good times hunting ducks and pheasants in Benson Ward. I even remember rolling Easter Eggs down the hill at the campus and watching the "A" light up on home comming. Gee their must be a good reason why I wnet to the "U". Good luck this year.

Only way is up !! | 5:30 p.m. April 14, 2009

Wow optimism for USU football this is very cool news. I agree with with the blogger who wants to see another Utah school get some national notoriety, good positive notoriety. Coach Anderson, pin your ears back and get those Aggie boy's roll-in with some wins and you could probably get the key's to the City of Logan. Seriuosly, the Cache Valley Faithful have been in a drought long enough and the administration at USU will stick with you if you can even break 500 for a season. I have faith in you, and I must say HOLY COW you sure shut down the crimson tide in the Sugar Bowl..GO AGGIES..

Reality | 6:25 p.m. April 14, 2009

In order to rebuild, doesn't that imply the Aggies once had a respectable football program to rebuild? I know High School teams in the State of Texas, (Dallas Aggie should understand this if he ever reads the Dallas Morning News or Fort Worth Star-Telegram during the fall) that could beat these guys just about every week, and I'm talking about any Aggie team you want to put out there! Ever heard of the Southlake Carroll Dragons?
As for "Only way is up!!", no the team will very likely be a basement dweller forever, what talented kid would want to play in Logan, when if they wanted to stay in the State of Utah could play for the U or the Y?

The school should just stick to basketball.

true blue | 6:48 p.m. April 14, 2009

I like how Anderson is already telling people to be patient. Must be worse than he thought it would be. I know people want a Div I coaching job, but if he had been patient he could've landed something better than USU.

to True Blue | 8:49 p.m. April 14, 2009

Logan High?

re:reality | 8:59 p.m. April 14, 2009

You've obviously not been around USU for any length of time. Nor do you seem to be interested in facts or speaking with thought. Check your facts before you write!

Anonymous | 9:59 p.m. April 14, 2009

So, last season the Aggies win three WAC games and lose one by a 59-yard field goal...and they should drop down from Division I because they can't compete? I guess that means the WAC teams that finished lower than them should go too? Rubbish! "Realistic", you're unreal.

Jeffrey Cole | 11:07 p.m. April 14, 2009

I bleed Orange and Black (Oregon State Colors) but follow The Aggies. We were down so long in Corvallis that only the die hard fans had any hope year in and year out. When we hired up and coming coaches (Avazono, Fertig, Pettibone and Kragthorp) they all had some good teams but couldn't get program over the hump. Mike Rileys first stop at O.S.U. seemed to get the ball rolling then Dennis Erickson took us to the next level. Riley came back and has kept it going at high level for a number of years. Coach Riley and Coach Erickson are not any better coaches than Avazono, Fertig, Pettibone and Kragthorp but they know how to recruit and to keep the top (or close to the top) talent wanting to come and play for them. If Coach Anderson only stays for two or three years maybe, just maybe he can start a flow of better highschool and J.C. football players wanting to come and play for The Aggies.
P.S.--Corvallis is a real nice place to live and raise a family too!!

Dallas Aggie re: Reality | 6:25 | 7:46 a.m. April 15, 2009

Great comment :) It definitely made me laugh. High School and Div I are completely different beasts. Yes I have heard of South Lake Carroll Dragons. Did you know the following: Coach Dodge took the job at the sun belt conference school of University of North Texas "the green machine" and has been stomped on ever since. I do wish them the best, but just ask him how his high school ideas have worked out thus far. Also, his son who had a scholarship to UT Austin, but recruited him to University of North Texas...yes that University of Texas school that has Colt McCoy and wins Championships. I wonder how that son feels now? So good luck to UNT, but high school and Division I football are completely different! As for dropping down a division, that is ridiculous and will never happen. BTW, U of U lost to a lower division school in basketball this season...should they drop down? I don't think so.

Dallas Aggie re: Reality | 6:25 | 7:48 a.m. April 15, 2009

I love Logan, but live in Dallas for career opportunities. My kids are all going to attend USU and already love the school. I still feel that Guy was the scapegoat, and that this years team is going to go above .500, as we were only 9 points away from that in the WAC last year. 9 points. Our kids are hungry and they are talented. Our new coaching staff is superb and I think there will be many surprises this year. PS - We beat U of U back to back in 96 and 97. We also had the Canadian football league MVP...Anthony Calvillo in 92-93 or so and beat BYU. We will rise again and all the components are coming into place now. If I was Coach Anderson, I would stay in Logan as long as possible and build a legacy. Making the $ he is in Logan is like being a millionaire.

Go Aggies! Go USU! Utah State hey Aggies all the way!

Dallas Aggie re: Reality part 3 | 7:49 a.m. April 15, 2009

I hope the other schools in Utah do well this year as well, and that we win 2 to 3 of in state games this year. Remember Hawaii after the BCS game? Yeah, we beat them. It could happen to U of U in a post BCS let down.

the "process" | 9:10 a.m. April 15, 2009

put this sorry program out of its misery!

Aggie in Bama | 11:27 a.m. April 15, 2009

I like what a Coach Anderson is doing, and know that the Aggies can be on the top of their game again. The fans have a role to play in bring the Aggies back to their winning ways, this means support the team and cheer them on to victory.

Aggie Priority | 1:32 p.m. April 15, 2009

Excellent article. Thanks for the write-up, Jared. As for ye naysayers, just wait until fall ball starts.

Go Ags

Inigo Montoya Aggie | 1:40 p.m. April 15, 2009

Many of you know my story. It can take 20 years for revenge. But, once it happens, it is that much sweeter. Loyal Aggies, don't be like me. Have a plan for your life so when our dream of winning a WAC Championship and beating the two southern swine comes true, you'll have something better to fall back on than becoming the next Dread Pirate Roberts.

Indeed, these are the words of wisdom I pass on in my old age.

Go Aggies

Colo. Aggie | 8:33 a.m. April 16, 2009

I haven't seen this much enthusiasm for Aggie football in a long time. I really like what Coach Anderson is doing. I was a John L. Smith supporter last fall. But, Gary Anderson has really made a believer out of me. Now, as Aggie in Bama stated we fans need to step up. USU needs more fans in the stands. 13,00 a game is unacceptable. I live in colorado, but, I'll be at a couple of games. I hope that fans up and down the wasatch front will do the same and attend a game this year. We need to show strong support for Coach Anderson and these Aggies and see if we can make some noise in the WAC.

SoCalAggie | 12:53 p.m. April 16, 2009

there is little doubt in my mind that this years team will be much improved over last years. We were very close to winnnig some games vs some respectable teams, FSU and LA Tech come to mind. Idaho, Hawai'i and NMSU had no answers to solve our offense, and we beat them by large margins. I see us rolling these same three again with the addition of Fresno State, San Jose, and maybe La Tech and Nevada. Just guessing of course.

MADRYBEGAN | 10:52 a.m. April 17, 2009

Now that USU has a new regime I would like to see what Coach Anderson can do with his systems and his players. I think that Anderson should be given 4-5 years. If USU has not been to a bowl and is at least competing for a conference championship by then, the Aggies need to go down a division. If they do this, however, does the basketball team need to as well?

Dallas Aggie | 11:58 a.m. April 17, 2009

I love all the people that suggest we go down a division. That is hilarious and will never happen. There is absolutely no reason for it.

Thank you to the AD and President for deciding that Athletics is important to the university and the community. It helps bind those students of the past, present and future. I know that our football team will be able to come back and grow from this point forward.

To MADRYBEGAN | 8:00 p.m. April 17, 2009

Yes, if the football team goes down a division, then the basketball team must leave the WAC as well, because the WAC has a rule that each of its members must have both a D1 football program and D1 basketball program in the WAC.

Mars | 9:34 a.m. April 18, 2009

Aggie critics are broken records. It's the same boring tripe you always hear when you say you're proud of your Aggies.

Get rid of the program, Cache Valley is the armpit of Utah, Andersen hype is no different from Guy hype, drop out of division I, focus on basketball, yadda yadda yadda...

If you're a Ute or Cougar fan and you say this, and you're still in high school, then I don't think there's much I can write to prevail upon you to higher thinking. If you don't have a bedtime or curfew and you say the same tired junk, just remember that the big SEC schools think the EXACT same about you - big BCS wins by Utah notwithstanding.

I guess that's a comfort for Aggie fans, knowing that we get picked on because other fans feel picked on.

Go Aggies.

CedarAg | 7:29 p.m. April 19, 2009

Thank you for the nice article. I love the Aggies and Cache Valley. Go Aggie and beat Utah!!!

re: Mars | 1:37 p.m. April 21, 2009

You don't know what a broken record is do you? Read what Aggies say when anything BYU is brought up and you'll see a 45-year old record on there with lots of dust.

Anonymous | 12:35 p.m. April 22, 2009

I am excited for Coach Anderson and USU football, but I am still skeptical until I see results. I know this goes against the Aggie tradition of blind loyalty. Everyone was excited about Brent Guy but he was a horrible coach and his record proved it. 8 wins in 4 years. I don't care how bad the program was. The WAC is weak besides Boise St. and an occasional Fresno or Hawaii. Yet, every student I talk to thinks Brent Guy got shafted when he got fired. All I'm saying is lets base our judgements on results. If the team Guy "built" is as good as everyone thinks it can be, Anderson will have no problem making it successful...

re: re: Mars | 9:01 p.m. April 23, 2009

Your record is skipping...

Truth ! Reality ! | 2:32 p.m. April 24, 2009

I believe Mr. Reality is RIGHT ON ! Until the administration truly gets behind a Coach and provide the atmosphere for him to excel the Aggies will only have far-gone yeatar-moments to recall when Pinying for football memories. Hello, administration Merlin Olsen is now in his 70's and he will not be suiting up this year. Lastly, to the Aggie die hard faithful, GO AGGIES !! at least you have a decent Basketball program...

Sure you do ? | 12:48 a.m. April 25, 2009

Anonymous, you stated " Yet every student I talk to " are you a reporter writing fake blogs ? Do you really want the bloggers on this page to believe that you personally interviewed USU students on there opinions about coach Guy ? Come on you are a phony, you have exposed your self. GOTTCHA !

david | 12:48 p.m. April 26, 2009

Here is the aggie schedule games they should win in CAPS

utah
texas am
SUU
byu
NMSU
nevada
LA TECH
fsu
hawaii
sjsu
bsu
IDAHO

that is 4 wins they will have a chance against to beats sjsu and nevada both at home and and a chance against fsu and hawaii. If they win two of those four games and the four they should win that is 6-6. The minimum number of wins should be 4 with 6 a possibility.

Hopeful Fan | 12:14 a.m. April 27, 2009

I read the hits on the Aggies and think about what Guy did for USU,...Nothing, his coaching staff and recruiting were the worst in the country. Guy recruited several high caliber players out of Cali and Texas that he couldn't please that eventually left, wanted to leave or remained unhappy and chose to stick it out for the free education. Guy was an arrogant Al Davis clone that let his personal feelings and insecure play calling get in the way of his coaching..it was his way or the highway and we see who got the highway.USU will have to have years or winning to pull players away from Utah, BYU, or Boise...As a californian highschool Football coach, i don't return USU calls...i will only return their calls if a player has no offers, or if they want a free education and don't care about playing or winning.

Re: Hopeful Fan | 5:11 p.m. May 1, 2009

Hopeful Fan:

It seems odd to me that you - as a Californian highschool football coach - are so intricately invloved in the relationship between the Utah State head coach and some of his players so as to be specifcally informed as to the personal feelings of specific players.

Either 1) you are not really a highscool football coach in Californai; or 2) there is more to the story. Or perhaps both.

Already better | 2:15 p.m. May 7, 2009

USU is already a better program. The media coverage and excitement generated by Coach Anderson and the new staff is an improvement from the past. I wish the whole program the best.

to Hopeful Fan... I'm guessing your son was offered NOTHING, even by USU!

Aggie Alum | 5:19 p.m. May 8, 2009

I am a huge College football fan. I will watch any game any time. I am a Ute fan in a family of Zoobers...but more than anything I want to see the Aggies win and get better. I have always been an Aggie fan and I absolutely love the school and the area. Sent my Daughter to EFY there last year and hope my kids (5) go to school there. So Happy that Coach Gary Anderson is there. He is a class coach and will improve the program and the community.

Go AGS

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Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

USU players Chris Randle, left, Robert Turbin and Josh Flores line up in formation during spring practice in Logan Thursday. USU's Spring Game is Saturday at Romney Stadium and is open to the public. Fans can get autographs following Saturday's scrimmage.

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