Monson: What will USU coach Gary Andersen do?

Many would leave for more money, but the extraordinary thing would be to stay.

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That’s not the way most coaches think, though. They are egocentric. They figure, if they’ve been smart enough to make it as far as they have, they’ll be smart enough to keep making it. Besides, there’s no guarantee of longevity in the status quo, especially, in this case, with USU stepping up to the Mountain West.

The money beckons, then. It always does. After that, even if the pressure builds and the winning ceases and the hook is given, floating on a raft in a pool after getting sacked, if that’s the fate, doesn’t seem so horrible.

Lastly, the real effects, the what’s what, of coaches jumping up their career ladders, boosting their pay and their profiles along the way, is all part of the game. It’s the deal. But it’s too bad that that jumping comes at the expense of young athletes upon whose backs coaches make their ascent, athletes who are recruited to a school, then constantly asked by coaches to sacrifice self-interests for the good of the team, for the name on the front of the jersey, not the back.

And then, when things go well, the head coach takes off for a much greener — dollar, dollar bills, y’all — offer.

Those who bust their humps at their jobs say, go for it. Screw everything else. Get yours while you can. Take the money and run. That’s what anybody would do, what anybody should do. But in most workplaces, the element of those aforementioned young athletes who are lured in and do the heavy lifting while the coach dances doesn’t come into play. There’s a compelling mix of reality and hypocrisy in all of that.

Gary Andersen is a good man and a terrific coach. He seems to be saying he’ll stay a while longer, although coaches in his position often lie. He’s got sons playing at USU and he feels a part of the Aggie community. He’s nailed it at a place where few have and he deserves what he deserves. We’re all eager to see if he thinks like so many other mercenary coaches, if he’s automatic like the people, or if he’s extraordinary, if his next big move will be to stay.

Gordon Monson hosts "The Big Show" weekdays from 3-7 p.m. on 1280 AM/97.5 FM The Zone. Twitter: @GordonMonson.

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