Utah Tech Trailblazers Introduce Lance Anderson As New Football Head Coach
Dec 8, 2023, 10:02 AM | Updated: Dec 9, 2023, 2:39 pm
ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Utah Tech Trailblazers held a press conference on Friday to introduce Lance Anderson as the new head coach for the football team.
Anderson was a linebackers coach for the Utah State Aggies in 2004 and has held various coaching positions at Stanford since 2007.
“Coach Anderson brings a wealth of successful coaching experience and program development,” Utah Tech executive director of intercollegiate athletics Ken Beazer Beazer said in a statement. “He has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and a commitment to fostering both athletic and personal development throughout his career. We welcome Lance and [his wife] Sherri to St. George and Trailblazer Nation.”
The Trailblazers went 2-9 in 2023 and ended the season on a five-game losing streak.
Anderson is a defensive-minded coach which will address one of Utah Tech’s biggest shortcomings.
“We are excited to officially welcome Coach Anderson to Trailblazer Nation,” Utah Tech University president Dr. Richard B. Williams said. “His coaching experience at the highest levels of college football will benefit Utah Tech as we continue to progress as an NCAA Division I program.”
🏈🏈 Welcome to Trailblazer Nation @CoachL_Anderson!
Watch the introductory press conference live – https://t.co/yjdIhYFGRz#UtahTechBlazers | #UACfootball pic.twitter.com/Idixzl4mEr— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) December 8, 2023
“I am very excited to be the head football coach at Utah Tech University,” Anderson shared. “I am grateful to President Williams and Ken Beazer for the opportunity to lead this group of fine young men and exceptional student-athletes. “I love the sport of football and the life lessons it teaches. I look forward to building a winning football program at Utah Tech University that this community can be proud of both on and off the field.”
The Trailblazers were the worst defensive team in the United Athletic Conference last season. They were the only team in the UAC to have 50 touchdowns and over 400 points scored against them.
Anderson could also use a change of scenery after some rough years as the associate head coach at Stanford.
After back-to-back 3-9 seasons with the Cardinals in 2021 and 2022, Anderson worked as an analyst at Boise State
Ironically, the Cardinals also had the worst defense in their conference last season. They allowed 37.7 points and over 460 yards per game which was good for dead-last in the Pac-12.
Anderson will look to turn things around for the Trailblazers in 2024 as he steps into a solo head coaching role for the first time in his career.
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Chandler Holt is a co-host for the Jazz Notes podcast and a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.