SALT LAKE CITY – Utah State head football coach Blake Anderson announced the hiring of Joe Cauthen as the Aggies’ new defensive coordinator.

Cauthen’s hire was announced on Friday, February 24.

The new USU coordinator previously worked for Anderson as Arkansas State’s defensive coordinator from 2014-18. Anderson was head coach of the Red Wolves from 2014-20. He became Utah State’s head coach in 2020.

RELATED: Blake Anderson Announces Changes On USU Football Coaching Staff

During their time together at Arkansas State, Anderson and Cauthen led the Red Wolves to five consecutive bowl appearances and a pair of conference titles.

Welcome @CoachJoeCauthen as our new Defensive Coordinator!

➡️ https://t.co/SwxyB4dJjq#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/iK4ePv4AV6

— USU Football (@USUFootball) February 24, 2023

Cauthen will take over for Ephraim Banda, who was recently promoted to assistant head coach before taking a job with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.

RELATED: Cleveland Browns Hire Utah State’s Ephraim Banda To Coaching Staff

The new Aggie coordinator has coached in college football for 27 years, including 22 as a defensive coordinator. He was most recently the defensive coordinator for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks in 2022. Cauthen helped the Lumberjacks win the Western Athletic Conference title. In addition to his role with Stephen F. Austin, Cauthen spent his time between Arkansas State and Utah State with Buffalo, Houston, and Arkansas.

Joe Cauthen’s Coaching History

2022                  Stephen F. Austin – Defensive Coordinator
2021                  Buffalo – Defensive Coordinator
2021                  Arkansas – Defensive Analyst
2019-20            Houston – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2014-18            Arkansas State – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2012-13            Middle Tennessee – Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Line
2011                  Middle Tennessee – Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers
2007-10            Valdosta State – Defensive Coordinator
1999-2006       Texas A&M-Commerce – Defensive Coordinator
1997-98            Stephen F. Austin – Defensive Line
1996                  Trinity Valley CC – Defensive Line
1990-95            Sherman (Texas) HS – Assistant

Utah State’s Defense in 2022

Last season, the Aggies finished with a 6-7 record.

Utah State’s defense gave up an average of 30.6 points per game.

The Aggies also allowed teams to put up an average of 396.6 yards of total offense, including 198.4 passing and 198.2 rushing.

Utah State is currently slated to open its 2023 schedule on the road against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday, September 2.

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