Borel and Hutton shocked at Guy’s firing
Citing a “lack of sustained momentum,” USU Athletics Director Scott Barnes announced the firing of head football coach Brent Guy at a press conference Monday.
The firing, effective at the end of the season, ends a tumultuous run for Guy at Utah State in which he has posted an 8-38 record.
Two days after the players were notified.
One day after the official announcement, the team is trying to shake off the news.
“A lot of people were emotional, people were shocked,” said sophomore quarterback Diondre Borel. “A lot of people think he’s a good coach and a good coach for our team. People are kind of emotional right now, but we’re trying to just get through it and practice hard.”
USU will have plenty of time to practice, as their next and final game isn’t until Nov. 29 against New Mexico State. If the Aggies pick up a win in that game it will be the first time the team has won three home games in a season since 2003.
It would also be the first time during Guy’s tenure that the Aggies have accomplished that feat. The team’s gradual but visible success had many players shocked by their coach’s dismissal.
“I was really surprised,” said senior linebacker Jake Hutton. “These last few games we’ve been turning things around. I think whoever comes in next is going to have a great opportunity to have a good football team because I definitely think we’re turning the corner to becoming a great team, so I was really surprised.”
He also talked about how Guy has improved the program since he first arrived.
Hutton said Guy’s decision to recruit freshmen, coupled with the switch to the WAC, slowed the progress of the team. However, he said the ability of Guy’s first players to grow together and, in turn, pass that growth onto incoming players is what has really laid the foundation for the current team.
“It (the program) is in way better shape,” Hutton said when comparing the program to where it was when Guy took over.
Now, with a new coach and staff coming in, there is a feeling of uncertainty on the team.
“You don’t know who’s coming in to coach you and you don’t know what they’re going to try and do,” Borel said. “It’s kind of awkward going out there knowing that all this stuff is happening and you’re practicing. Some people are kind of quiet.”
Hutton, who is trying to get a sixth year of eligibility to make up for his injury plagued sophomore season, agreed with his teammate.
“I love my coaches so I’d much rather have them stay,” he said. “But you never know what’s really going to happen.”
Despite the distractions, the Aggies are focused on winning their last game to grab some momentum heading into the offseason, as well as send their coaches off with a bang.
“We’re trying to get this last win. It’s going to be big for us,” Borel said. “We’re trying to end on a good note and give the coaches a positive note to leave with.”