Tag: Blake Anderson

Dec 18, 2021; Inglewood, CA, USA; Utah State Aggies head coach Blake Anderson reacts in the second half of the 2021 LA Bowl against the Oregon State Beavers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Utah St. announces death of coach Blake Anderson’s son

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Utah State on Tuesday announced the tragic death of one of head football coach Blake Anderson’s sons.

Utah State athletics director John Hartwell expressed “thoughts and prayers” for Anderson and his family on social media.

Anderson’s bio lists two grown sons, Coleton and Cason, but it’s not clear which one died. His bio also lists a daughter, Callie.

The circumstances of the death were also not released.

Anderson lost his first wife, Wendy, in 2019 after her three-year battle with cancer. The pair was married for 27 years. Anderson remarried in 2021.

Anderson led the Aggies to an 11-3 record and the Mountain West Conference championship in 2021, his first season in Logan, Utah. The Aggies also won their bowl game.

Anderson went 51-37 in seven seasons at Arkansas State (2014-20).

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2021; Carson, CA, USA; Utah State Aggies players pour gatorade on Utah State Aggies head coach Blake Anderson in celebration of the victory against San Diego State Aztecs in the Mountain West Conference championship game at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Utah State extends contract of coach Blake Anderson

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Utah State is extending the contract of head football coach Blake Anderson after just one year on the job.

The school announced Friday that Anderson has verbally agreed to a two-year extension that will keep him at Utah State through the 2027 season. No financial terms were disclosed.

The Aggies were 11-3 on the season and defeated San Diego State in the Mountain West Conference championship game, which followed a 6-2 conference record. They defeated Oregon State 24-13 in the inaugural LA Bowl last Saturday.

“In just one year at the helm, Blake Anderson has transformed a one-win team into a Mountain West Championship team,” athletic director John Hartwell said in a news release. “The positive and team-centered culture he and his staff have created and fostered permeates throughout Aggie Nation. As remarkable as the on-the field success has been, the academic achievements and personal development of our football student-athletes under his leadership are even more impressive. Blake’s character, integrity and passion for the academic, personal, and athletic growth of our student-athletes have fueled the success of this team. Under coach Anderson’s leadership, the future of Aggie football is very bright.”

The win over No. 19 San Diego State gave the Aggies their first-ever MWC title and their first victory against a ranked opponent in six seasons. Utah State started the year with a 26-23 road win at Washington State for its first Power Five road win since 1971.

Utah State was 1-5 in the coronavirus-interrupted 2020 season. The school fired head coach Gary Andersen during the season and hired his successor on Dec. 12, 2020.

Blake Anderson, 52, was the head coach at Arkansas State from 2014-20 after a long career as an assistant coach that included stints as offensive coordinator at North Carolina, Southern Miss and Louisiana.

–Field Level Media

Sep 5, 2020; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves head coach Blake Anderson during the second half against the Memphis Tigers at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Utah State names Anderson new coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Blake Anderson was named the new coach at Utah State on Saturday night after spending the past seven seasons at Arkansas State.

The Aggies have scheduled a press conference for Monday morning.

“On behalf of Aggie nation, I am thrilled to announce Blake Anderson as our new head football coach,” Utah State athletic director John Hartwell said in a statement. “I have watched his Arkansas State teams over the past seven years, first when I was at Troy and then here at USU, and I am excited for our fans to witness first-hand his high-octane offense and championship brand of football.”

Anderson went 51-37 at Arkansas State, leading the Red Wolves to winning seasons in every season except this one (4-7). Anderson took the Red Wolves to six bowl games. Also Saturday night, Arkansas named Butch Jones to replace Anderson in Jonesboro, Ark.

Anderson replaces Gary Andersen, who was fired by Utah State in November after an 0-3 start.

–Field Level Media

Sep 5, 2020; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves head coach Blake Anderson during the second half against the Memphis Tigers at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas State coach Anderson recovered from virus

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson revealed he was among the members of his program to contract the coronavirus.

He said Monday he tested positive on Sept. 16, four days after his Red Wolves upset Kansas State 35-31 despite being without 10 starters and 20 players in all for the game.

“I got sick within a couple days, started having symptoms,” he said, adding he ran a fever for 10 days.

Arkansas State’s following two games on the schedule — Sept. 19 against Central Arkansas and Sept. 26 against Tulsa — were postponed. The Red Wolves (1-1) are set to return to the field on Saturday in a Sun Belt Conference matchup at Coastal Carolina (2-0).

Anderson became the second college football coach, following Florida State’s Mike Norvell, to disclose a positive COVID-19 test.

“Let’s just say it’s been a challenge. We have dealt with COVID and the reality of it as well as I think you can. We knew there was a risk when we got back to playing, and everybody chose to be here for the potential that we could have some guys both on and off the field that would catch it. And we did,” he said.

He said his players, now past the virus, are ready for Coastal Carolina.

“I do feel like we’re coming over the hurdle, and starting to look like ourselves. And you could tell the kids are real excited about the opportunity to play.”

–Field Level Media