Utah State University plans to fire football coach Blake Anderson in the wake of an investigation, the school announced Tuesday.
“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 in a news release.
USU said Anderson violated university police in the spring of 2023. Per his contract, he will have 14 days to respond to the school’s intent to terminate.
Utah State has also fired Deputy Athletic Director Jerry Bovee, who was the interim athletics director at the time of the alleged violations, and the football program’s director of player development and community, Austin Albrecht, for “violations of university policies related to the reporting of sexual and domestic violence and failures of professional responsibilities.”
“As leaders, we are responsible for ensuring allegations of USU policy violations are investigated,” Utah State President Elizabeth Cantwell and Athletics Director Diana Sabua said in a statement. “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.”
Sabau met with the football team Tuesday to inform them of the changes.
Defensive coordinator Nate Dreilling will be the team’s interim head coach for the 2024 season.
Anderson was getting ready for his fourth season in Logan as head coach. After winning the Mountain West conference his first year, the last two years have resulted in losing seasons. He went 6-7 in 2023, losing in the Idaho Potato Bowl.