USU dismisses two football staffers, announces plan to fire head coach Blake Anderson
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Head coach Blake Anderson of the Utah State Aggies looks on during the first half of their game at University Stadium on November 24, 2023, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photo: Sam Wasson/Getty Images
Utah State University intends to fire head football coach Blake Anderson following an external investigation into "alleged noncompliance" of Title IX policies, the school announced Tuesday.
Why it matters: Utah State University has, in the past, faced sharp criticism over how it handles sexual assault allegations.
The big picture: Anderson's looming dismissal comes about two and a half years after he was heard on a recorded team meeting, telling players it "has never been more glamorized to be a victim" of sexual assault.
- The U.S. Justice Department accused the school of mishandling sexual assault reports after a 2020 investigation that focused, in part, on the football team.
- Multiple players have been charged with sex offenses since then. Two pleaded guilty and another is awaiting trial.
Zoom in: Jerry Bovee, a deputy athletic director, and Austin Albrecht, another football staffer, were also dismissed for allegedly violating university policies around reporting sexual and domestic violence, the school announced.
- Anderson, who was hired in 2020, has 14 days to respond to the university's notice. The violations in question occurred last spring, per USU.
Between the lines: The school noted Title IX requires "full and timely reporting of disclosures" related to sexual misconduct and domestic violence. It added the policy also bars university employees from investigating sexual misconduct cases on their own.
Caveat: USU did not specify the Title IX allegations the school investigated, and it is unknown whether the previous accusations of mishandled assault reports were a factor.
Catch up quick: Patrick Maddox, a football player who recorded Anderson's remarks during the team meeting, later claimed he faced retaliation that forced him to quit the team after releasing them.
- The recordings led to the resignation of the university police chief Earl Morris, who told players at the meeting to be careful with having sex with Latter-day Saint women, because they may regret it and say it was nonconsensual.
Flashback: Before that, USU and law enforcement in Cache County came under fire for failing to file charges against football player Torrey Green after multiple women accused him of assault.
- Prosecutors reexamined their cases after The Salt Lake Tribune published an investigative report about their claims. Greene was convicted of assaulting six women, though prosecutors said 19 women came forward with similar allegations.
What we're watching: USU agreed to DOJ monitoring over sexual assault in 2020; that oversight was extended this spring "to ensure USU's prevention and response programs are fully implemented in a durable and lasting way," per an April news release from the school.
What's next: Defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling will serve as interim head coach for the upcoming season.