According to a report by ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Utah State head coach Blake Anderson has been placed on administrative leave and is unlikely to return. In the meantime, defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling will be the interim coach.
Utah State’s Blake Anderson Placed on Administrative Leave
Anderson has had a tumultuous career as a head coach. He started at his hometown school, Arkansas State, in 2014, leading the Red Wolves to six consecutive bowl games and two Sun Belt Championships between 2014 and 2020.
In 2019, Anderson’s first wife, Wendy, died after a battle with breast cancer, and he stepped away from coaching to deal with the grief. He has since become a vocal advocate for mental health and breast cancer awareness.
In 2021, Anderson moved to Utah State to become head coach of the Aggies, winning the Mountain West in his first season at the helm.
Anderson was entering his fourth year in charge of the Aggies, and he’s been decently successful, going 25-17 in his tenure. Things were not the best last year, however, as Utah State went 6-7, 4-4 in conference, and lost to Georgia State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
According to Thamel, the team has been informed of Anderson’s absence and has been told Dreiling, who joined Utah State this offseason after two years as the defensive coordinator at New Mexico State, will be the interim head coach. According to Thamel, it is “unlikely” Anderson will return as head coach.
Sources: Utah State has informed the football team that coach Blake Anderson is on administrative leave and unlikely to return. Defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling has been named interim coach.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 2, 2024
Utah State hopes to return to being a contender in the Mountain West and has signed several potentially key additions in the transfer portal. The Aggies open the season on Aug. 31 at home against FCS Robert Morris.
There are no further details at this time, but College Football Network will have more when information is available.