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LOGAN — Former Utah State interim coach Frank Maile is staying in the Mountain West Conference. Maile has been hired to be the new assistant head coach and defensive line coach at Boise State, the school announced Wednesday
Maile had been a mainstay at USU for the better part of two decades, first as a player and then as a coach.
The Aggie alum joined the USU coaching staff in 2009 and stayed on until 2014, when he left to become the defensive line coach at Vanderbilt. Maile returned to Logan in 2016 and has since been assistant head coach, co-defensive coordinator, defensive line coach, tight ends coach and twice the interim head coach. Maile took over when Gary Andersen was fired three games into the 2020 season.
Maile was beloved by players — many of whom lobbied for him to become the permanent head coach — but his tenure at USU ended in a cloud of controversy.
Ahead of USU's final scheduled game this season, Stadium's Brett McMurphy reported Utah State President Noelle Cockett allegedly made discriminatory statements about Maile during a Zoom meeting with the team's leadership council. The remarks led to the players boycotting the team's final game.
According to a statement from the team, the athletes were troubled by apparent biases toward Maile in regards to his Polynesian heritage and his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Soon after, Maile released a statement asking the USU trustees to do an "independent investigation of religious, cultural and racial discrimination throughout the Utah State University."
The university is currently conducting an investigation into the president's comments.
USU hired Blake Anderson to be the new football coach on Dec. 12, and Maile was not retained on his staff.
That was good news for new Boise State head coach Andy Avalos.
"Frank Maile is a high-character individual, and someone that cares deeply about everyone affiliated with our program – especially the young men we bring into it," Avalos said in a statement. "He is someone that Bronco Nation will be drawn to because of his passion and enthusiasm, not only for our student-athletes but also our community. On top of being an outstanding person, father and husband, he is also a phenomenal football coach."
For Maile, the move north marks a new beginning.
"I am so pumped to be part of this family and Bronco Nation," Maile said in a statement. "I am humble and grateful that Coach Avalos would allow me the privilege to influence these young men and this community, and feel blessed for such a big-time opportunity."
