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LOGAN — Blake Anderson's tenure as Utah State's football coach appears to be over.
The university informed Anderson on Tuesday of its intent to terminate his contract "for actions taken in spring 2023" that "violated both his employment agreement and university policy," according to a statement released by the school.
The violation, according to the university, related to promptly reporting issues relating to sexual assault and domestic violence.
"This decision comes after a thorough external review of alleged noncompliance with university policies that implement Title IX, which require full and timely reporting of disclosures of sexual misconduct — including domestic violence — and prohibit employees from investigating disclosures of sexual misconduct themselves," the university said.
Deputy Athletic Director Jerry Bovee and the football program's director of player development Austin Albrecht were also fired.
Utah State Athletic Director Diana Sabau met with the team Tuesday morning and informed them of the changes, and announced defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling as the interim coach for the 2024 season.
"As leaders, we are responsible for ensuring allegations of USU policy violations are investigated," Sabau and USU President Elizabeth Cantwell wrote in an email to faculty and staff. "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. 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."
Anderson has 14 days to respond to the university's intent to fire him, the statement said.
In recent years, several Utah State players have been arrested for sexual assault or misconduct, the most recent of which came in July 2023 when Kingsley Holliday went to jail for alleged aggravated kidnapping, rape and forcible sodomy.
Anderson took the Aggies job in December 2020 amid allegations from former interim coach Frank Maile saying the university was religiously and culturally biased against him when he wasn't named the team's permanent leader. Anderson was tasked with gaining the trust of players who may have not necessarily wanted him there.
But in his very first season, Anderson led Utah State to an 11-3 overall record and the Mountain West Championship. The team also beat Oregon State in the Jimmy Kimmel L.A. Bowl. Anderson signed a contract extension that year.
The following two years, however, were mired in mediocrity. The Aggies had two consecutive 6-7 seasons and lost both bowl games.
Anderson also dealt with some difficulties off the field during his tenure at Utah State. In 2021, an audio recording was released in which Anderson can be heard making comments about sexual assault, of which he later apologized.
In September 2022, Anderson revealed his son died by suicide. He used the tragedy as an opportunity advocate for mental health.
With Anderson's reported departure, Utah State players are immediately eligible to enter the transfer portal, according to NCAA rules. There were already several players that entered the portal, including at the quarterback position after Cooper Legas and McCae Hillstead left for Tulsa and BYU, respectively.
Anderson had recently named Iowa transfer Spencer Petras as the starting QB after the conclusion of spring camp.
