Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
LOGAN — Andy Hill is no stranger to Utah.
After coaching at the University of Utah for 10 years, he found a love for the state, the people, and the outdoor activities. He coached several NCAA Tournament teams, including one who made a run to the Sweet 16, and coached three future first-round NBA draft picks.
When he ultimately did leave, he didn't know if he would get the opportunity to return to the state by way of his career.
"In coaching, you never really know what your opportunities are, but I always felt if I had the chance to come back to Utah, I would be completely open to it," Hill said.
That opportunity did present itself, but this time, a little further north.
Hill was no stranger to Utah State. In addition to his tenure at Utah, Hill had coached against the Aggies in Logan as part of New Mexico's coaching staff during the 2021-22 season.
"I'm glad I'm on the other bench (now)," Hill joked. "With the crowd, you know, playing here's a task. We've got a great home environment and great fan support, and so being on that home bench, it definitely is different."
Danny Sprinkle, a coach who is quickly gaining national attention for his immediate success this season, played a big role in convincing Hill to follow him from Montana State, where both coached last season, to Utah State.
"When Danny asked me to come with him to Utah State, I told him, at the time, Utah State's a great basketball place. It's a basketball environment school, they're passionate about it," Hill said. "So for me, it was a no brainer, and I was appreciative of the opportunity to come back to Utah and be a part of this."
Hill said he has known Sprinkle for a long time, and has grown to respect the coach. He said Sprinkle treats people well and is an excellent coach and person — and that he reminds him of someone that basketball fans in the Beehive State will know well.
"Danny reminds me a lot of Larry (Krystkowiak)," Hill said. "They have, what I would say, a Montana way about them. … That's part of the reason I love it. I love being with Danny, he reminds me a lot of Larry.
"They're unique in their own ways, but Danny, what I really appreciate about Danny is his focus, his intensity, and the standard that he has created for the program that he's involved with. … It's a standard of excellence."
Their repertoire, along with some outstanding success thus far in Logan, has allowed Hill to assume the position of associate head coach at Utah State. The promotion comes in his first season at the university. Hill, however, made it clear he wants little attention for his promotion.
"It doesn't change any of my duties or responsibilities," Hill said. "I appreciate Danny for doing that; however, it's always 'us,' and it's always 'we,' and that's the Montana way. And he understands that, and I understand that, and that's the way it was with Larry and that's the way it will always be with me. There's never I or me involved. … The attention and the focus needs to go on the team."
The attention and focus has certainly been on the team — a team who was predicted to finish ninth in the Mountain West in the preseason with no feasible postseason chance, one of only three teams in the country returning no points in the 2023-24 season.
That team, after binding together in what could be called, perhaps, the "Montana way," has defied all expectations, currently boasting a formidable 22-5 record and sitting atop the Mountain West standings with almost no feasible chance of missing the postseason.
"We have a great group of character guys, and I think that's where it starts," Hill said. "They have character, they try, they want to be good, they work with each other, and for each other. So if (you have) those things, it gives you a chance."
Not all is completed, though. Hill said the Aggies will continue to take it one game at a time, implying that they will refuse to believe that any team title, accolade, or recognition is theirs until they've worked for it and earned it.
