‘It’s a start’: Utah State students who sued school react to school’s plans to fire head football coach

LOGAN, Utah ( ABC4 ) — Utah State University’s announcement of its intent to fire Head Football Coach Blake Anderson is bringing up emotions for a few former USU students — particularly students who sued the school in recent years.

Kaytri Flint sued the university in 2021, and claimed she was raped by a then-USU football player. Flint said that when she reported it, the school did nothing.

“It is hurtful that it’s taken so long,” Flint told ABC4.com. “To this day, I just struggle with grieving the life that I could’ve had.”

Flint agreed to settle in 2022 and the University paid her $500,000. When she heard the news about Coach Anderson, she said she felt like it was a long time coming.

“I didn’t ever think they would do this,” she said.

In a statement released Tuesday , Utah State said it made the decision to let Anderson go after the school found evidence of “alleged noncompliance with University policies that implement Title IX.”

The decision has brought some mixed emotions for Flint as she reflected on her own experience. She said she was disappointed it had taken this long for the university to make a change.

“It feels so unfair,” she said. “I’m struggling a lot, so there’s a lot of me that doesn’t want to forgive and it feels like it’s way too late.”

On the other hand, Flint shared that the announcement gave her “a little more hope” for the future of USU and “the safety of the students.”

“I think it’s a start,” she said.

The reaction to the university’s announcement about Anderson extended to other former students as well. Soon after Flint filed her lawsuit against the university, former USU football player Patrick Maddox sued the school in 2022.

He said he spoke out against alleged sexual assault and misconduct happening at the university — but when he reported it, the football team retaliated. Last year they reached a settlement , where USU agreed to pay Maddox $150,000.

In light of the University’s announcement about Anderson, Maddox shared the following statement with ABC4.com:

In regard to Blake Anderson being dismissed I think it’s important to remember where this all started — and that’s with the courage of Kaytri Flint reporting that she was sexually assaulted by a football player. I wonder how things would have played out had she been believed and supported from the beginning by all parties. She deserved so much better.”

Patrick Maddox

ABC4.com reached out to Utah State University regarding Flint’s case specifically. In a statement, USU News Director Logan Wilber said:

We take these types of incidents and concerns very seriously, and while the investigations take longer than anyone would like, it is important everyone is comfortable reporting such concerns. I want to ensure you and others know that anyone who knows something about an incident of sexual misconduct in the USU community should report it to the USU Office of Equity . Students can also find resources and reporting options at sexualrespect.usu.edu. ”

Statement from USU on Flint’s case

Flint said she’s been fighting for change at the University for the past five years.

“I truly believe that the greatest act of love is holding people accountable,” she said. “I did love Utah State a lot, so I wanted to hold them accountable because that was my home.”

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