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Gary Andersen: 2012 Colorado coaching search profile (Verbal to Wisconsin)

Junction

Junction

Club Member
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Born: February 19, 1964 (age 48)


Utah State bio

BIOGRAPHY/COACHING CAREER

Gary Andersen has been the coach of the Utah State Aggies since the 2009 season, compiling a record of 25-24 through his first four seasons, including a 10-2 mark in 2012 and a tie for the Western Athletic Conference championship with the San Jose State Spartans, who they defeated 49-27. In the five seasons prior to Andersen's hiring, the Aggies had won a total of 12 games. In 2011, Andersen led the Aggies to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, their first bowl appearance in over a decade.

Prior to becoming the head coach at Utah State, Andersen was the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach for his alma mater, the Utah Utes (1986), from 2004-2008, including for the undefeated Utes squad that defeated Alabama in the Sugar Bowl following the 2008 season. He was also a Utes assistant from 1997-2002, coaching defensive linemen and serving as special teams coordinator, prior to a one year stint as head coach at Southern Utah University in 2003, where he compiled a 4-7 record.

COACHING HISTORY

2009-Present - Utah State
2009-Present - Head Coach
2004-2008 - Utah
2005-2008 - Defensive Coordinator / Assistant Head Coach /
Defensive Line
2004 - Defensive Line
2003 - Southern Utah
Head Coach
1997-2002 - Utah
2002 - Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Line /
Special Teams Coordinator
2001 - Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Tackles /
Strong Side Ends / Special Teams Coordinator
1997-00 - Defensive Tackles / Strong Side Ends
1995-96 - Northern Arizona
1995-96 - Assistant Head Coach /Defensive Line / Special Teams
1994-95 - Park City HS (Utah)
Head Coach
1992-94 - Idaho State
Defensive Line
1989-92 - Ricks College
Offensive Line
1988 - Southeastern Louisiana
Assistant Head Coach / Offensive Coordinator

Pros/Cons

Pros

- Has rebuilt a program that had been down for several years (12 wins in 5 years prior to his arrival)
- Runs a spread offense that ranked 20th in the nation in 2011 and 26th in 2012, including 6th in the nation in rushing in 2011.
- Has coached 25 NFL players
- Ranked #1 non-BCS recruiter by Rivals.com in 2005, and #10 in 2008

Cons

- Over 40 players on current USU roster are from the state of Utah. How wide ranging are his recruiting contacts?
- Background on the defensive side of the ball, but USU teams have been strongest on the offensive side. And offensive production dropped this year after prior OC left for CSU after 2011 season.
- Has only had 2 winning seasons as a head coach
- No BCS conference background
 
Tell me you don't want to play for this guy! Fires me up! And I love the QB drill at 3:00.

[video=youtube;B8gh-VzNwms]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=B8gh-VzNwms[/video]
 
Want. Him commiting to next year at Utah State is meaningless. You have to sing that song up until the day you walk out the door for a new job. Coaches have to strike while the iron is hot, just like players declaring for the draft.
 
The interesting thing to me about Andersen is that hiring him would dovetail with one of Bohn's constant talking points - that he'll use the basketball model.

What I think that means is that he's looking for someone who has been a head coach, who has been a program builder, who feels at home in the rocky mountain region, and is widely regarded as a straight shooter with high character and great coaching chops.

Andersen fits that description.

He'd be a hire that is well within Bohn's comfort zone. Get him facilities like was done for Tad. Pay for some big-time assistants like was done for Tad. And I'd be pretty confident that Andersen would do well here.
 
Buffnik said:
The interesting thing to me about Andersen is that hiring him would dovetail with one of Bohn's constant talking points - that he'll use the basketball model.

What I think that means is that he's looking for someone who has been a head coach, who has been a program builder, who feels at home in the rocky mountain region, and is widely regarded as a straight shooter with high character and great coaching chops.

Andersen fits that description.

He'd be a hire that is well within Bohn's comfort zone. Get him facilities like was done for Tad. Pay for some big-time assistants like was done for Tad. And I'd be pretty confident that Andersen would do well here.
Click to expand...

I'm sold on his coaching ability. His recruiting ability would worry me. Pac-12 recruiting would be a whole new ballgame for him. A staff of stud BCS level recruiters would be a must....
 
Junction said:
I'm sold on his coaching ability. His recruiting ability would worry me. Pac-12 recruiting would be a whole new ballgame for him. A staff of stud BCS level recruiters would be a must....
Click to expand...

Yep. The assistants would be key here. Need some guys on staff that can recruit So Cal, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, etc.
 
Read today on DC's mobile site that Bohn has requested an interview with Andersen. He may be the front runner?
 
Junction said:
I'm sold on his coaching ability. His recruiting ability would worry me. Pac-12 recruiting would be a whole new ballgame for him. A staff of stud BCS level recruiters would be a must....
Click to expand...
I agree with what was said yesterday. If you can out recruit your competition, regardless of conference, then you have a good chance of doing it at the next level. That means you have an eye for talent and an ability to get the signature. I haven't looked at the comparative rankings for Anderson in the WAC, but if he's beating them for the best kids, then I think he stands a chance of doing it at the Pac-12 level as well. That said, I agree that he would need a top notch staff with recruiting ties in CA and TX.
 
SpacemanSpiff said:
Tell me you don't want to play for this guy! Fires me up! And I love the QB drill at 3:00.

[video=youtube;B8gh-VzNwms]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=B8gh-VzNwms[/video]
Click to expand...

Like this guy a lot. He kind of reminds me of Tad. Not a bad thing! He's got a great personality that will translate to any level. Great resume.
 
I think this guy has moved up to my #2 choice (behind Bellotti). I love that he's taken over a down program and brought them to a high level. Bonus points for being a former DC at Utah when they were knocking off the big boy programs.

I know that some have concerns about recruiting, but give me a HC that knows what he's doing and can really coach the players he's got and wins will follow. With wins come better players and then more wins and ....
 
BinaryBuff said:
I know that some have concerns about recruiting, but give me a HC that knows what he's doing and can really coach the players he's got and wins will follow. With wins come better players and then more wins and ....
Click to expand...
Also according to his profile he has been a highly rated non-BCS recruiter so he has skills there.

You get some people around him with strong Pac 12 recruiting experience, plus as you say improvement on the field and I think he would do a good job.
 
This guy is my number one. There are no splash hires that CU is going to be able to make, and this guy seems like the best of the coaches. (I would also take a flyer on McIntyre, but this guy seems to have a lot more personality which would make him a better recruiter).
He built this program up, and his defenses were very stout.
Maybe it is the Tad Boyle high, but I think this is in the same mold.
 
Andersen did an interview with a local radio show here in SLC yesterday. When asked about moving on to another job, he said he would consider all of his options and then follow his heart. Does that sound like a guy who's going to stay in Logan, UT?
 
UtahBuff said:
Andersen did an interview with a local radio show here in SLC yesterday. When asked about moving on to another job, he said he would consider all of his options and then follow his heart. Does that sound like a guy who's going to stay in Logan, UT?
Click to expand...
Very interesting, thanks!

I am curious how the situation with his sons would weigh into his decision, especially the one that's already on the team. would that make it easier/harder to leave or a non-issue for him..
 
UtahBuff said:
Andersen did an interview with a local radio show here in SLC yesterday. When asked about moving on to another job, he said he would consider all of his options and then follow his heart. Does that sound like a guy who's going to stay in Logan, UT?
Click to expand...

No, but I heard his son (sons?) are already enrolled at Utah St, I think that would be a factor.

But that does not sound like someone who is committed to his current situation.
 
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