Utah State firing coach Anderson, citing Title IX violations

Utah State has informed head coach Blake Anderson that it intends to terminate him for alleged noncompliance with Title IX policies in spring 2023, the school announced Tuesday.

Utah State made the decision after a "thorough external review" of noncompliance on policies that implement Title IX, which requires full and timely reporting of disclosures of sexual misconduct, including domestic violence, and bans employees from investigating sexual misconduct disclosures themselves.

"As leaders, we are responsible for ensuring allegations of USU policy violations are investigated. 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," school president Elizabeth R. Cantwell and athletic director Diana Sabau said in a joint statement.

They added: "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 Dreiling has been appointed the interim head coach for the 2024 campaign.

In addition to the head coach, the Aggies also let go associate vice president Jerry Bovee and football director of player development and community Austin Albrecht for policy violations related to the reporting of sexual and domestic violence plus failures of professional responsibilities.

Anderson coached the Aggies for three seasons, compiling a 23-17 record. He went 11-3 in his first campaign but followed it up with two consecutive 6-7 seasons.