It’s all smiles on Day 1: Andersen promises to go after Boise State, run spread offense
Just like politicians do in campaigns, new USU head football coach Gary Andersen made lofty promises Thursday.
Andersen was introduced as USU’s 26th head coach at a 1 p.m. press conference in the Spetman Auditorium of the Jim and Carol Laub Athletics-Academics Complex.
“My job is to take the (team) to the cream of the crop (in the WAC). What is that? It’s Boise State,” Andersen said. “Here we come.”
Andersen, who was defensive coordinator at the University of Utah until taking the job with USU, promised fans an “exciting brand of football” with a spread offense, an impressive staff and hard-nosed recruiting in the state of Utah.
“Utah is first (priority in recruiting),” said Andersen, who was named the nation’s No. 1 non-BCS recruiter by Rivals.com in 2005. “That’s not lip service, that’s a promise. We’ll go against whomever we need to go against. The other blue team or the other red team, I don’t care. We’re going to go head to head with (BYU and Utah) and fight them to the ground. At the end of the day we are going to take some very quality players away from those other schools.”
Concerning his post as Ute defensive coordinator, Andersen said he will talk with Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham and decide Friday whether he will coach the Ute defense in the upcoming BCS bowl game.
An overflow crowd – which included a handful of current players – witnessed the press conference.
Andersen said current players, recruiting and getting staff in place are his top three priorities at the moment.
Andersen said his staff will be assembled by the beginning of Spring semester. He said hiring members of Guy’s staff, as well as current Ute coaches, are possibilities.
“You will be impressed with the staff that will come here,” he said. “They come from all over the country. They understand what Logan as a city is.”
The announcement ends a 2-1/2 week national search for Brent Guy’s replacement. Andersen’s base salary is $300,000 per year for five years – a significant increase from Guy’s base salary of $210,000. Andersen will also get $50,000 for media interviews and $25,000 in incentives.
“There is a major commitment here to not just be a good football program, but be a great program,” Andersen said. “USU has that niche for Gary Andersen, and I can bring a lot to the table.”
It’s been three decades since a coach left USU with a winning record.
Other candidates included former USU head coach John L. Smith and former player Mike “Chico” Canales. USU Director of Athletics Scott Barnes didn’t mince words about what set Andersen apart from other candidates.
“He absolutely won the interview,” Barnes said.
Andersen’s qualifications
Andersen is the mastermind behind a Utah defense that is in the top 25 in seven categories. The Utes are 13th in scoring defense – they held the Aggies to 10 points over the past two seasons – and 14th in rushing defense.
Andersen’s resume is loaded with awards and wins.
He is currently one of five finalists for the Broyles award, which is given to the nation’s best assistant coach.
Andersen is undefeated in six bowl games – including a victory in the BCS Fiesta Bowl in 2005.
Andersen is in his 11th season with Utah’s coaching staff. His coaching career began in 1988 at Southeastern Louisiana, where he was offensive coordinator.
From 1989 to 1992 he was offensive line coach at Ricks College. From 1992 to 1994 he was Idaho State’s defensive line coach, and then became Park City High’s head coach from 1994 to 1995. After a brief stint with Northern Arizona from 1995 to 1996, he joined the staff at the University of Utah in 1997.
–samuel.hislop@aggiemail.usu.edu
Andersen and his wife Stacey listen as he is introduced. The couple has three sons – Keegan and twin sons Chasen and Hagen. Andersen was the defensive coordinator at the University of Utah before accepting the USU job. He said he would decide Friday whether to coach the Ute defense in its BCS bowl in January. (Cameron Peterson)