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LOGAN — Utah State football coach Matt Wells knows the coaching carousel rumors are a part of his business, including when they revolve around him.
That’s not saying he won’t ever entertain other offers that may find their way to his answering machine. But he wants to make it perfectly clear he’s happy in Logan.
Wells is reportedly considered a candidate for the head coaching position at Tulsa, according to several media reports. The second-year Aggie head coach is an Oklahoma native, and he spent five years as the tight ends' coach and recruiting coordinator with the Golden Hurricane.
Fox Sports recently linked Wells with the Nebraska job that went to former Oregon State coach Mike Riley, and subsequent reports have connected him to vacancies with the Beavers as well as Tulsa.
But the 1996 graduate of Utah State and former Aggie quarterback also indicated it could take a lot to pull him toward another job.
“I’m an alum and this is where I want to be,” Wells said. “I’ve said from the beginning, that if you’re winning games and you’re doing a good job as a program, then calls are going to come in. If the phone rings, I answer it. That’s going to happen. I got told a long time ago that in this business at this time of year, calls are either coming in and you’re saying ‘no thanks’ or you’re listening to see if it’s a better situation.”
For now, Wells said he is focusing on a dangerous UTEP team ahead of the Dec. 20 New Mexico Bowl — marking a return to the birthplace of his toddler son, Wyatt. When the game is over, he’ll focus more on offseason matters, such as recruiting and potential new jobs.
“I’m going to listen, and if it’s better for me and my family, then the process may continue,” Wells said. “I’m very, very happy at Utah State. It will take something very, very special for me to leave here if that ever comes to be. I’ve turned down jobs since I walked onto this campus in 2011. I’m very happy here.”
Wells also seemed to acknowledge that current assistant coaches were receiving interest from other schools looking to fill positions, adding that is also “part of the business.”
“I always want to be the head coach that supports our assistants in their upward mobility if it’s best for them,” he added. “We had two guys that had opportunities that felt like were better for them last year. That’s part of the job, but it’s probably the most stressful part for me, staffing and not wanting to lose our guys. People recognize a good product when they watch you, so it’s certainly a compliment to Utah State football.”
