Utah State Fires Football Coach Blake Anderson Over Domestic Violence Investigation
Utah State University has fired football coach Blake Anderson, citing his decision to conduct a personal investigation into a player’s domestic violence arrest instead of reporting it immediately to the university. Anderson was officially terminated on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Dan Murphy and Adam Rittenberg.
The incident occurred in April 2023, when a former Utah State player was arrested on a domestic dispute charge. Anderson, according to his termination letter and an investigation commissioned by the university, contacted the player’s girlfriend and roommate to gather more information. He claimed he was conducting a “fact-finding mission” to determine if the player should be suspended or not.
However, the university deemed Anderson’s actions as a violation of university policies regarding domestic violence reporting. The termination letter stated that Anderson engaged in investigative efforts, including meeting with and collecting written statements from the potential victim and another witness, without reporting the incident to the university.
Anderson was first placed on administrative leave on July 2, and the university also fired former interim athletic director Jeremy Bovee and football staff member Austin Albrecht for violating the same policies.
Anderson denied claims that he contacted or interviewed the player’s girlfriend, stating that he only learned of the arrest through the player’s roommate. He submitted a 70-page response to Utah State, claiming the university conducted a “sham investigation” and that he believes the school was set on firing him for cause.
Anderson’s attorney, Tom Mars, said that his client will pursue “all available legal remedies,” including securing the buyout money guaranteed in Anderson’s contract, an apology, and more.
Anderson was set to start his fourth season with the Aggies this fall, after leading the team to a 6-7 record and a bowl game appearance last season. He went 23-17 with the Aggies, where he was hired after a seven-year run at Arkansas State. Utah State has since promoted defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling as their interim coach for the 2024 season.
