Andersen makes coaching changes
The 2010 season didn’t end the way Gary Andersen and his Aggies had planned, and it didn’t take long for talk of Saturday’s 50-14 loss to Boise State to spur changes on the USU coaching staff. Andersen said at his weekly press conference Monday that the program has decided to part ways with offensive line coach Alex Gerke, and defensive coordinator Bill Busch will now coach special teams.
According to Andersen, the decision to part with Gerke, who coached with Andersen at Utah in 2001 and 2002, was a mutual one that came after careful analysis of the team’s 4-8 season.
“I have known Alex for years, but at the end I have got to sit down and do what is best for the young men and do what is best for Alex,” Andersen said. “I believe we have done that. It is not a firing scenario; it is a scenario in which we have decided to go another direction.”
Andersen said the change was a necessary one after USU struggled on the offensive line all season. While the Aggies weren’t among the nation’s worst teams in sacks allowed (giving up an average of two sacks per game), the Aggies frequently struggled with opening up holes for the run game and protecting quarterback Diondre Borel. Andersen will shift tight ends/tackles coach T.J. Woods to the offensive line, and will have offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin take over coaching the tackles and tight ends.
“As you can see, we are putting a heavy development on the offensive line,” Andersen said.
The series of offensive changes will leave USU without a quarterback coach, which Andersen will look to hire in the coming weeks. Andersen said he currently does not have any particular individual in mind, but is looking for someone with experience with both coaching and recruiting.
“I don’t have a time line on that; we are going to hire the best coach available,” Andersen said. “A coach who can come in and teach a new quarterback. I am looking for a coach who can get a young man to manage a football game and use the weapons around him effectively, as well as a coach who can recruit.”
Defensively, Andersen stressed the importance of improving on the defensive line, and said he will take a more active role in the defense. Hired at USU after his role in leading the University of Utah’s defense prior to 2009, Andersen will look to recapture some of that magic by taking direct control of USU’s defense next year. Andersen said he is not demoting Bill Busch from the position, but rather creating a more conducive coaching environment for the team’s future success.
“Defensively, I am going to be the defensive coordinator,” Andersen said. “I don’t see it as a demotion to Bill Busch … we will work very well together on the defensive side, and Bill will be right there with me as we continue to call defenses together.”
Andersen is also looking to hire two graduate assistants this offseason, including one who will work with the stud linebacker position. Above all, Andersen stressed the importance of improving on defense, which USU must do to get into the postseason next year.
“It is not me who will make a great defense it is all of us together and then getting the right players out there,” he said. “We have to improve, our defensive numbers the last two years are very poor.”
Big Things to Come?
Though somewhat muted due to the position changes, the press conference’s mood was upbeat. Senior quarterback Diondre Borel and cornerback Curtis Marsh both looked back fondly on their Aggie playing careers, while both had no doubt that the Aggies will improve next year.
“We have the coaches,” said Borel. “I know we have the same record as last year but the team is coming together and learning to play together. We have a lot of potential we just need to keep working hard and those guys on the team will get what they want. I have no doubts about this team.”
Marsh agreed, saying, “The underclassmen have everything they need to succeed, (and) I have no doubt that they will grow and become a very good football team in the future. The team has endless potential. I am very excited to watch the program in years to come.”
One of the reasons hopes are already high for 2011 is because of a core group of players are coming back for the Aggies next year. While USU loses Borel and Marsh, the team will return the WAC’s leading tackler in Bobby Wagner, named first team all-WAC on Monday, as well as running back Kerwynn Williams. Williams had a tremendous sophomore season, capping it off by rushing for a career high in the season finale against Boise State. He also set the new NCAA kickoff return yardage record.
Despite his fantastic play this season, Williams will have to compete with seniors Robert Turbin and Michael Smith at running back next season. Both were injured this past season and are expected to add a dynamic presence to USU’s offense in 2011. According to Williams, the expected competition with Turbin and Smith will only make USU’s offense more potent.
“I love competition and I love to compete against other players,” Williams said. I feel like that will be good for the team as well as me and my position … everyone is going to have to go out and compete to the best of their abilities to get a spot on the field.”
– adam.nettina@aggiemail.usu.edu