State of Utah announced Thursday was officially fired football coach Blake Andersontwo weeks after notifying you of the school’s intention to terminate your contract.
In a statement released Thursday, the state of Utah said:
“This action is based on significant violations of its contractual obligations related to USU employee reporting requirements. These reporting requirements include a prohibition on employees outside the USU Office of Equity from investigating matters of sexual misconduct, including domestic violence. Furthermore, Anderson has failed to manage the team in a manner that reflects USU’s academic values.”
Anderson responded to the allegations 14 days after receiving the notice, via a 70-page response sent by Anderson and his attorney Tom Mars.
“Coach Anderson’s legal team believes this decision – as well as USU’s deliberately inflammatory press release on July 2 – violates the terms of Coach Anderson’s employment contract and the implied covenant of good faith,” Mars said in a statement. “We will be pursuing all available legal remedies on your behalf.”
In its original notice two weeks ago, the school cited “actions taken (by Anderson) in spring 2023.” The school also announced in the original statement that it also fired Jerry Bovee, deputy athletic director who was interim AD in 2023, and Austin Albrecht, director of player and community development. They were part of the same investigation.
Atlético reported on Thursday that the impetus for the investigation was an incident of domestic violence that occurred in April 2023.
Defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling will serve as the Aggies’ interim head coach this season.
Anderson, 55, was entering his fourth season at Utah State. He has compiled a 23-17 record, including a second straight 6-7 campaign in 2023.
The Aggies finished 11-3 during their first season with the Mountain West program in 2021 and won the LA Bowl, finishing the year in #24 in US LBM Coaches Poll.
Anderson is 74-54 overall, including seven seasons at Arkansas State from 2014-2020.
Utah State opens the season against Robert Morris on August 31.
This article originally appeared in USA TODAY: Utah State fires football coach Blake Anderson
