Aggies Kick Off 2019 Season With Start Of Spring Ball
Mar 19, 2019, 6:19 PM
Courtesy of USU Athletics
LOGAN, Utah – The Gary Andersen era at Utah State has officially begun. Again. The Aggies began preparation for next season with the start of spring ball this Tuesday.
Following the program’s best season last year that included an 11-2, a final ranking in the Top 25, and a victory over North Texas in the New Mexico State under previous head coach Matt Wells, the Aggies are looking to get things started on the right foot under Andersen.
It’s the second tenure at Utah State for Andersen, who replaces Wells who left for the head coaching gig at Texas Tech. Andersen was previously the head coach in Logan from 2009-12 before leaving to coach at Wisconsin and then Oregon State.
Utah State Football Holds First Spring Practice Tuesday Afternoon#AggiesAllTheWay
Recap: https://t.co/h81HEVzcTK pic.twitter.com/M5XYmXqb1v
— USU Football (@USUFootball) March 20, 2019
Now he’s back, Andersen says the first order of business is getting to know his new players.
“The key thing with me with a new staff and first you get a relationship with the kids. That’s an important part of it. I think we’ve done a nice job there. We’ve put in our schemes on offense, defense as well as we can without obviously practicing,” said Andersen in press conference on Monday.
Objectives For Spring Ball
It’s important for Andersen to have objectives during spring ball. One of those goals, according to the head coach, is get the basics down.
“Well we’re going to be very fundamentally sound, especially those first four to five practices of spring ball. When you break down spring ball, you have some objectives of where you want to be. Technique, fundamentals are key to us,” said Andersen.
It all starts today. #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/OX1QaXIbiH
— USU Football (@USUFootball) March 19, 2019
Andersen says it’s also important to establish the team’s identity on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he expects his team to be physical and versatile while playing zone defense. On offense, Andersen wants more of the same from the Aggies, who implemented a lethal no-huddle offense last season to great success.
“We are excited to go play football, get the ball out there and see exactly what we got and I know the kids are looking forward to that also. I’m really proud of the way this staff has come together and they’re very focused on being successful on the field and off the field with these young men,” said Andersen.
The Aggies will begin their 2019 season on the road against Wake Forest on August 30.
