Andersen could have to make tough decision
Morning all, there are some notes for you to read today, about how the Utes are taking two days off, the MWC awards and the possibility that the Utes could lose some assistants.
A little more on that latest bit. Coach Kyle Whittingham said he understands why his assistants want to move on and he'd back any that do. The one of immediate concern is defensive coordinator Gary Andersen, who reportedly is in the mix for the head coaching job at Utah State where he'd replace the recently fired Brent Guy. Guy is 8-38 in four years.
Andersen is in a great situation at Utah. His defense has thrived the last two seasons, he loses just two starters from this team (Brice McCain and Greg Newman), has a once-in-a-lifetime player to coach in Paul Kruger and is Utah's highest-paid assistant. He is in the middle of a two-year contract that doesn't expire until June 30, 2010 for $193,000.
Those are a lot of reasons to remain at Utah, a staff he first joined in 1997 as the defensive tackles coach. However, no one can fault Andersen for wanting to become a head coach. He got a taste of that when he coached at SUU for the 2003 season before he rejoined the Utes in 2004.
But how much of a risk would it be for him to take over at Utah State? Can anyone win there? That is the biggest issue he'd face, if he is offered the job. Andersen is in charge of in-state recruiting for Utah, that would help him, but it would still be a huge challenge getting kids away from Utah and BYU. He'd have to be able to do that, to some extent, to win in Logan.
He also has his family to think about too, son Keegan and twins Chasen and Hagen. Keegan was a standout junior on Juan Diego's football team this season which won the 3-A state title. Not sure Andersen would want to uproot him before his senior year.
Good thing Utah has a couple weeks off before bowl preps start, Andersen might have a lot to think about in the coming weeks.
A little more on that latest bit. Coach Kyle Whittingham said he understands why his assistants want to move on and he'd back any that do. The one of immediate concern is defensive coordinator Gary Andersen, who reportedly is in the mix for the head coaching job at Utah State where he'd replace the recently fired Brent Guy. Guy is 8-38 in four years.
Andersen is in a great situation at Utah. His defense has thrived the last two seasons, he loses just two starters from this team (Brice McCain and Greg Newman), has a once-in-a-lifetime player to coach in Paul Kruger and is Utah's highest-paid assistant. He is in the middle of a two-year contract that doesn't expire until June 30, 2010 for $193,000.
Those are a lot of reasons to remain at Utah, a staff he first joined in 1997 as the defensive tackles coach. However, no one can fault Andersen for wanting to become a head coach. He got a taste of that when he coached at SUU for the 2003 season before he rejoined the Utes in 2004.
But how much of a risk would it be for him to take over at Utah State? Can anyone win there? That is the biggest issue he'd face, if he is offered the job. Andersen is in charge of in-state recruiting for Utah, that would help him, but it would still be a huge challenge getting kids away from Utah and BYU. He'd have to be able to do that, to some extent, to win in Logan.
He also has his family to think about too, son Keegan and twins Chasen and Hagen. Keegan was a standout junior on Juan Diego's football team this season which won the 3-A state title. Not sure Andersen would want to uproot him before his senior year.
Good thing Utah has a couple weeks off before bowl preps start, Andersen might have a lot to think about in the coming weeks.
8:17 AM
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2 Comments:
Kruger, a Once in a lifetime player? Only if you plan on dying within a year or two. Lya, you seem to worship some of these kids. And I thought Dick Harmon was a homer.
Oh Kyle.....Lya is actually a great reporter, she says it how it is. Harmon can only write about his team and does not have the ability to even think outside of his special land he lives in. The only problem Lya has, is she is color blind, but lord know we have all tried to help her out with her selection of clothing colors.
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