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Utah State football coach Blake Anderson agrees to two-year contract extension

The new deal, which would keep the coach in Logan through 2027, comes a week after Anderson apologized for comments he made about victims of sexual assault

(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah State Aggies head coach Blake Anderson talks with his players as the Utah State Aggies host Brigham Young University Cougars on Oct. 1. On Friday, it was announced that Anderson had verbally agreed to a two-year contract extension with USU.

  | Dec. 24, 2021, 4:37 p.m.
| Updated: 8:59 p.m.

Utah State football coach Blake Anderson has verbally agreed to a two-year contract extension that would keep him in Logan through 2027, the university announced Friday.

During his first season with the program, Anderson led the Aggies to arguably their best season in school history. The team finished with an 11-3 record and its first Mountain West Conference title, and a bowl victory.

“In just one year at the helm, Blake Anderson has transformed a one-win team into a Mountain West Championship team,” USU Vice President and Director of Athletics John Hartwell said in a news release. “The positive and team-centered culture he and his staff have created and fostered permeates throughout Aggie Nation. As remarkable as the on-the-field success has been, the academic achievements and personal development of our football student-athletes under his leadership are even more impressive. Blake’s character, integrity and passion for the academic, personal, and athletic growth of our student-athletes have fueled the success of this team. Under coach Anderson’s leadership, the future of Aggie football is very bright.”

Anderson’s extension comes a week after the coach apologized for remarks he made about sexual assault victims during a team meeting earlier this season. A recording of that meeting was made public earlier this month. In it, Anderson remarked to his players it “has never been more glamorized to be a victim” of sexual assault.

“I regret the words I used, and I apologize to anyone who has bravely come forward with allegations of wrongdoing,” Anderson said in a comment released by the school last week.

A day after his apology, Anderson and the Aggies beat Oregon State in the LA Bowl, becoming the first Football Bowl Subdivision team ever to go from one win the previous season to 11-plus wins, a conference championship and a bowl victory the following season.

“Under head coach Blake Anderson, this year’s football team captured the hearts of all of Aggie nation and we are fortunate to have him at the helm of our program,” USU President Noelle E. Cockett said in a statement.