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LOGAN — Despite the poor air quality that Cache Valley occasionally suffers, Aggie fans can take a deep breath of semi-fresh air today because no one is going to steal their football coach.
Gary Andersen announced that he's no longer entertaining offers at other football institutions.
"I plan to remain the head football coach at Utah State University," Andersen stated. "The interest I have received is a compliment to the quality young men in this program. Their hard work and dedication has built a culture that will enable us to continue to be successful at a very high level moving forward."
College football fans seem to be perpetually placed on the edge of their seat, successful coaches are constantly being recruited by other institutions and unsuccessful coaches are on the hot seat.
I love Cache Valley, this university and these young men, and I am humbled and excited to continue to be the coach here.
–Gary Andersen
Gary Andersen has led the Utah State football program from oblivion to national prominence. The Aggies are ranked in the top 25 for the first time since the Carter administration.
Utah State (10-2, 6-0 WAC) just completed its most successful regular season in school history as it set single-season records for wins (10) and home wins (6), while recording its first outright league championship since 1936 and its 11th in school history as it became the first team in USU history to post a 6-0 conference record.
"I love Cache Valley, this university and these young men, and I am humbled and excited to continue to be the coach here. The leadership of President (Stan) Albrecht and Mr. Barnes, as well as the support from the fans and community, are big reasons why this is the right place for myself and my family at this time."
In October, Utah State University Director of Athletics Scott Barnes announced a contract extension for Andersen, keeping him at USU through the 2018 season. Along with Andersen's revised contract, the new deal also calls for continued salary increases for all of his assistant coaches.
When Andersen took over for Brent Guy in 2009, Andersen made two points of emphasis; recruiting Utah high school football players and restoring the in-state rivalries with BYU and Utah.
"It can't be a rivalry until you start winning," said Andersen on numerous occasions.
This season, Utah State claimed possession of the Beehive Boot Trophy, the symbol of gridiron supremacy in the state of Utah, in 2012 for the second time in the past three seasons.
Utah State also has over 50 players on their roster that were recruited from in-state schools.
Utah State is ranked 20th in the nation in this week's Associated Press top 25 and 22nd in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' poll, will conclude its 2012 season at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 2:30 p.m. (MT) against a team yet to be announced from the Mid-American Conference.
Utah State, who also played in the 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, is appearing in back-to-back bowl games for just the third time in school history joining the 1946 Raisin Bowl and 1947 Grape Bowl teams, and the 1960 Sun Bowl and 1961 Gotham Bowl teams. Overall, it is USU's eighth bowl appearance in school history.
Along with all of Utah State's success on the field under Andersen, there has been just as much success in the classroom as 66 Aggies have earned academic all-WAC honors in his first three years, while another 84 have graduated from the University. Furthermore, Utah State had 18 football players earn academic all-WAC honorees in 2011 to rank first in the conference.
