COLUMN: Coach Andersen’s story is movie material
As a sportswriter at this university, the phrase “it has been a (big, crazy, exciting, memorable) week for USU” has begun to grow tired. Yes, it is still applicable, but we are getting to the point where commentary on USU football needs be more specific.
That being said, it has definitely been a big week for USU and it is thanks to our coach.
It was Gary Andersen who emphatically requested his players come into this Saturday’s Homecoming game against UNLV in stormtrooper white, leading to his call of action to fans and students to imbue a once-despised white out in the stands.
Andersen declared to the exuberant delight of many at a coaches luncheon earlier this week that he isn’t going anywhere after this season – all this on top of him being the coach who has seemingly turned everything around for a school and a community begging for some resurgence of their local football program.
What a difference a coach makes.
It goes without saying the general Logan public is very pleased with Andersen’s performance with the Aggies in his short term thus far. I have even oft heard bystanders refer to Andersen as one of those coaches you see in sports movies – the guy with big hopes and a bigger heart who leads his team to do the impossible.
It’s a fun observation, but it is not entirely outlandish either. Thus I think it’s worth a shot. Here are five movie coaches we can easily compare Coach Andersen to.
Herman Boone, “Remember the Titans” – This selection may get a bit of eye rolling because in this modern era Coach Boone is generally the first coach who comes to mind in any sports movie conversation. But think it through: Boone came into his job with a great deal of uncertainty, put all of his focus on his players when it could have been on numerous other things and kept finding success in his team when high stakes were on the table. Much like Andersen, he had to prove himself before anyone saw him for the great football mind he really was.
Herb Brooks, “Miracle” – Brooks, though very much a success in his overall coaching career, will forever be lauded as the guy who got an underdog USA hockey team to defy odds and defeat the all-things juggernaut Soviet team. Let’s be honest – for a long time, every team USU played for decades felt like a Soviet team and it was until Andersen came along that such a façade began to fade.
Gordon Bombay, “The Mighty Ducks” – Andersen oversees a group of young pups who have more physical abilities than they know. Not to mention Nick Vigil, Bojay Filimoeatu, Jake Doughty and Kyler Fackrell could very easily emulate the famous Bash Brothers. This one is too close to pass up.
Norman Dale, “Hoosiers” – Coach Dale is known as the guy who had the highest expectations for his boys, both on and off the court. They became better players as well as better men. Throw in the fact that Dale took on an upcoming squad in a small town and replace Jimmy Chitwood with Chuckie Keeton and you have a story very akin to the season the Aggies are on the cusp of experiencing now.
Gary Gaines, “Friday Night Lights” – If Andersen has done anything that past USU coaches have struggled with it is making Aggie football a buzz in the community. How many times have disgruntled fans walked from Romney Stadium after a dismal evening and quietly muttered, “At least we have basketball in November?” As great as the basketball and the Spectrum are to a local fan base, their time will come, but no eyes are away from Aggie football. Just as Coach Gaines took control of a team in a town that found its very bloodline in high school football, Andersen is the biggest part of USU finding a pulse both in the community and the state. It means the fans abroad expect the best of their team and that is the best compliment you can receive as a coach.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to put Andersen on a pedestal above what anyone should receive, but the proof is in the pudding. The Andersen era of USU football is exciting and Andersen knows it, even to cultivate in his own way. Fans now can only hope that the energy of their storybook coach will lead to their team experiencing a storybook ending to their season.
– Steve Schwartzman is a senior studying communication studies. He has had just about every job in sports writing, including blogs, analysis, statistics and fantasy football tips, but he especially loves making bold picks. Got any comments? Let him know: steve.schwartzman@aggiemail.usu.edu.