Utah State to fire football coach, assistant AD after investigation

Utah State University plans to fire football coach Blake Anderson for allegedly violating Title IX policies, the school announced Tuesday.

“This decision comes after a thorough external review of alleged noncompliance with university policies that implement Title IX, which require full and timely reporting of disclosures of sexual misconduct — including domestic violence — and prohibit employees from investigating disclosures of sexual misconduct themselves,” the university said in a news release.

USU said Anderson violated university policies in the spring of 2023. Per his contract, he will have 14 days to respond to the school’s intent to terminate.

Utah State has also fired Deputy Athletic Director Jerry Bovee, who was the interim athletics director at the time of the alleged violations, Austin Albrecht, the football program’s director of player development and community, for “violations of university policies related to the reporting of sexual and domestic violence and failures of professional responsibilities.”

“As leaders, we are responsible for ensuring allegations of USU policy violations are investigated,” Utah State President Elizabeth Cantwell and Athletics Director Diana Sabau said in a statement. “Today’s actions are the result of a thorough external investigation, and we believe the evidence demands immediate action. Our job is to fearlessly hold ourselves and others accountable for their conduct and to make sure that, for the sake of our students and our community, we are living the values of our university. While recognizing the impact of these decisions on our student athletes and football program, we will continue to take the steps necessary to deliver a respectful, transparent and winning culture at Utah State University.”

Defensive coordinator Nate Dreilling will be the team’s interim head coach for the 2024 season.

Diana Sabau, USU’s current athletic director, met with the football team Tuesday to inform them of the changes.

Anderson was getting ready for his fourth season in Logan as head coach. After winning the Mountain West conference his first year, the last two years have resulted in losing seasons. He went 6-7 in 2023, losing in the Idaho Potato Bowl.

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Utah State to fire football coach, assistant AD after investigation

Utah State to fire football coach, assistant AD after investigation

Utah State to fire football coach, assistant AD after investigation

Utah State to fire football coach, assistant AD after investigation

Utah State to fire football coach, assistant AD after investigation