Utah State football opened its 2024 season with a big victory, 36-14, over Robert Morris in Week 1, following a tumultuous offseason.
In his coaching debut, Nate Dreiling led the Aggies to the season-opening victory over Robert Morris despite the off-season turmoil. Quarterback Bryson Barnes passed for 198 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown.
Utah State will travel to Los Angeles on Saturday to face No. 14 USC in the Trojans' home opener. USC is coming off a 27-20 victory over LSU in its season opener.
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While the Colonials are an FCS team, the victory for the Aggies (1-0) came after players saw their head coach fired in July following an investigation from the school. Dreiling was named the interim head coach on July 2 and hired as the defensive coordinator in January, giving him only a short time with the school ahead of the season.
Here's what you need to know about Utah State's firing of Blake Anderson, who the interim coach and is more:
Why did Utah State fire Blake Anderson?
Utah State informed Anderson of its intent to "terminate his employment agreement for actions taken in spring 2023." The school ruled that Anderson's actions had violated his employment agreement and university policy and gave him 14 days to respond. Anderson was terminated for cause of his employment agreement on July 18, with the school citing "significant violations."
According to the termination letter sent to the coach in July, Anderson was fired for contacting a potential domestic violence victim and witness to the incident after a Utah State player was arrested and for failing to report the case properly. Deputy athletic director Jerry Bovee and football staff member Austin Albrecht were also fired after it was found they violated university policies connected to the reporting of domestic and sexual violence.
An external investigation found that Anderson did not comply with Utah State's Title IX policies, which require "timely reporting of sexual misconduct and domestic violence and bar employees from investigating reports of sexual misconduct themselves."
“While I recognize that today’s decision has a significant impact, it is the only one that could be made based on the facts. We are committed to moving forward in building a winning Athletics program grounded in student success and integrity," USU President Elizabeth Cantwell said at the time.
An external investigation found that Anderson did not comply with Utah State's Title IX policies, which require "timely reporting of sexual misconduct and domestic violence and bar employees from investigating reports of sexual misconduct themselves."
Anderson's attorney, Tom Mars, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that "all available legal remedies" would be pursued against the school. Anderson himself responded to the school’s termination letter , saying he was fired for “convenience" and not for cause. He also called the investigation that led to his dismissal a “sham.” He also claimed he was not required to report under USU's policy, but his actions met reporting requirements.
Blake Anderson record
Before taking the job with Utah State, Anderson served as the head coach for Arkansas State from 2014-20, replacing Bryan Harsin, who had left for the coaching position at Boise State. Anderson led the Red Wolves to six consecutive bowl games and won two Sun Belt conference championships.
Here's a look at Anderson's coaching record:
- 2014 (Arkansas State): 7-6, 5-3 Sun Belt
- 2015: 9-4, 8-0 Sun Belt
- 2016: 8-5, 7-1 Sun Belt
- 2017: 7-5, 5-2 Sun Belt
- 2018: 8-5, 5-3 Sun Belt
- 2019: 8-5, 5-3 Sun Belt
- 2020: 4-7, 2-6 Sun Belt
- 2021 (Utah State): 11-3, 6-2 Mountain West
- 2022: 6-7, 5-3 Mountain West
- 2023: 4-7, 2-6 Mountain West
Who is the interim Utah State football coach?
Defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling was named the interim head coach, replacing Anderson. Dreiling played linebacker for Pittsburg State from 2009 to 2013, helping the Gorillas win the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2011 with a 35-21 victory over Wayne State (Mi.). This is the 33-year-old's first head coaching position.
Dreiling signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2014. After the Packers released him, he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs but never appeared in an NFL game. He then played for the Omaha Mammoths of the Fall Experimental Football League (FXFL) in 2014 and 2015.
He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant in 2015 in Kansas. His alma mater hired him in 2017 as a safeties coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2018. In 2020, then-Oregon coach Mario Cristobal hired Dreiling as a defensive analyst. In 2021, Southeast Missouri State hired him as a defensive run game coordinator and middle linebackers coach. He was hired as the defensive coordinator under Jerry Kill at New Mexico State.
Dreiling was announced as the Aggies' new defensive coordinator in early January. He was elevated to interim head coach on July 2. To open the season, he led Utah State to a 36-14 victory over Robert Morris.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Explaining Utah State football's Blake Anderson's firing, who is the Aggies interim coach
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