Andersen Back As Head Coach At USU
Dec 9, 2018, 4:12 PM
Utah State Aggies head coach Gary Andersen celebrates the win over UNLV in Logan Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012. (Jeff Allred, Deseret News)
(Jeff Allred, Deseret News)
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State is turning to a familiar face to fill the void left by departing head coach Matt Wells. Gary Andersen, who was the Aggies’ head coach from 2009-12, will return to be the head coach at Utah State, the university announced Sunday afternoon.
You can always come home!
Welcome back Head Coach Gary Andersen!
🔗➡️ https://t.co/LterLJRJ6a
🎟➡️ https://t.co/HiZVOe8mvR#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/BeIuIRlyKs— USU Football (@USUFootball) December 9, 2018
Andersen, who served as associate head coach and defensive line coach at Utah this season, will return to the place where he got his first head coaching job. He was instrumental in rebuilding the Utah State program to respectability after inheriting a program that only had two winning seasons in the previous 28 years.
After a pair of 4-8 seasons, Andersen and the Aggies broke through with a seven-win season. The following year, USU had its best season yet with a 11-2 record and a No. 16 final ranking in the AP poll.
🗣 @Bwagz on Coach Andersen #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/c7HNLV5Qqh
— USU Football (@USUFootball) December 9, 2018
“We welcome Gary and Stacey and their family back to the Utah State family,” said Utah State athletic director John Hartwell in a press release. “His care-factor for his players, coupled with his recruiting philosophy and plan to win, are keys to the continued success of Aggie football. His knowledge of the state of Utah and our program are unparalleled and we feel those attributes will greatly aid in the continued growth and success of Aggie football.”
Following his first stint at Utah State, Andersen spent two years at Wisconsin and then two and a half season at Oregon State.
HBC💥#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/4Q3cpk5xQe
— Utah State Athletics (@USUAthletics) December 9, 2018
“Stacey and I are thrilled to be back at Utah State University,” said Andersen. “This is a special place and we are excited to meet these young men and play a part in seeing them succeed off and on the field academically, socially and athletically. We are grateful to reconnect with many great friends and supporters in Logan and want to thank John Hartwell and President (Noelle) Cockett for the opportunity. Go Aggies!”
Andersen will formally introduced as the Aggies’ head coach at a press conference on Tuesday.
