Report: Utah State Finalizing Deal To Hire Arkansas State’s Blake Anderson As Head Football Coach

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah State University is finalizing a deal to make Arkansas State’s Blake Anderson the Aggies’ next head football coach, according to Steven Godfrey Jr. of SB Nation.

“Blake Anderson is Utah State’s pick to become the Aggies’ next head coach,” Godfrey tweeted on Thursday, December 10. “The two sides met in person earlier this week and a deal is being finalized currently. Original plan was to have Anderson coach at A State through Saturday before the IW game was cancelled.”

News: Blake Anderson is Utah State’s pick to become the Aggies’ next head coach. The two sides met in person earlier this week and a deal is being finalized currently. Original plan was to have Anderson coach at A State through Saturday before the IW game was cancelled

— Steven N. Godfrey Jr. (@38Godfrey) December 10, 2020

On December 10, Arkansas State vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics Terry Mohajir announced that Anderson resigned “to accept the same position at another FBS program.”

“We appreciate Coach Anderson’s contributions to our program,” Mohajir said in a statement. “He is the only head coach in our FBS history to win two conference championships, and he played for a third while also leading us to six bowl games.  We wish him the best moving forward.”

“We appreciate Coach Anderson’s contributions to our program,” said Mohajir. "…We wish him the best moving forward."

Anderson Steps Down as A-State Head Football Coach
>>>https://t.co/NFluZ6UTFx pic.twitter.com/tb80vHn9nl

— Arkansas State Athletics (@AStateRedWolves) December 10, 2020

Anderson has explored other head coach openings in college football in the past but has never made a move.

Prior to the 2020 season, Anderson told George Stoia III, formerly of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, that would take a new job “when the right opportunity” presented itself to him and his family.

“When God is ready to move me, he’s going to move me. When the right opportunity presents itself, we’re going to go,” Anderson said. “I just prayed that God would put me right where I needed to be. And at the end of the day, I’m where God wanted me to be.”

Anderson will take over a USU program that currently owns a 1-5 record and ranks 10th in the Mountain West Conference standings.

The Aggies and former head coach Gary Andersen parted ways in early November.

Since then, Frank Maile has served as the team’s interim head coach.

Blake Anderson’s resume

Anderson leaves the Red Wolves after serving as the Sun Belt team’s head coach since 2014.

The job with Arkansas State was Anderson’s first as a head coach.

During his time with the Red Wolves, Anderson led the team to an overall record of 51-37 and a bowl record of 2-4. The Red Wolves have reached the postseason in every season under Anderson.

Arkansas State won two Sun Belt Conference titles (2015, 2016) during his tenure.

The Red Wolves finished their 2020 regular season schedule with a 4-7 record.

LETS GO… love these Dudes ‼️ https://t.co/J1MiF6D4Gs

— Blake Anderson (@CHbanderson) November 21, 2020

Prior to his first head coaching job, Anderson coached at schools including North Carolina, Southern Miss, Lousiana-Lafayette, and New Mexico.

He has past experience as an offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and wide receivers coach.

Before his coaching career, Anderson played quarterback and wide receiver at Baylor and Sam Houston State.

Utah State’s next game is against the Colorado State Rams on Saturday, December 12 at 7:30 p.m. (MDT). The game will broadcast on CBS Sports Network.