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LOGAN — On Tuesday afternoon, Utah State Athletics announced the "tragic death" of the son of head football coach Blake Anderson.
"On behalf of Utah State University, the athletics department and the football program, our thoughts and prayers are with coach Blake Anderson and his family following the tragic death of his son," athletic director John Hartwell said.
No additional information has been released about which son died or the circumstances of his death.
On Monday, Anderson tweeted: "God is STILL God in the midst of our broken," indicating the tragedy occurred earlier this week.
Anderson has three children with his late wife, Wendy — two adult sons, Coleton and Cass, and an adult daughter, Callie. Anderson also has two young daughters, who he adopted after marrying Brittany King in March 2021.
The Anderson family has endured several hardships in recent years. Anderson's former wife, Wendy, died in August 2019 following a bout with cancer. His father also died in May 2020.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Coach.
— Utah State Athletics (@USUAthletics) March 1, 2022
💙 pic.twitter.com/USRzChW4ah
Several from the state and college football community released statements Wednesday in support of Anderson.
The University of Utah football program said: "We are sending all our love and heartfelt condolences to Coach Anderson and the USU Football family."
The BYU football tweeted: "We join USU Athletics in sending our love and prayers to Coach Anderson, his family, and Utah State Football."
Additionally, several Mountain West programs reached out, including Boise State, Fresno State, New Mexico and San Jose State.
Anderson has been open about the death of Wendy, addressing it publicly on several occasions.
In an interview for a KSL.com story published in January, Anderson shared why he's willing to be vulnerable amidst the grief.
"This is my journey. This is how (God) is using me. I've got a platform that I'm very grateful for and I hope people can see a person that still loves others, that still loves Christ through some of the worst times in his life," he said. "So I think it's my job, it's my duty, it's my responsibility to ensure and be open so that the players, fans or just people, in general, can take a peek and see Christ's steps and actions."
In his first season as head coach of Utah State, Anderson led the Aggies to an 11-3 record, Mountain West Championship, and an Associated Press Top-25 finish. Spring football for Utah State begins after the university's spring break, which runs from March 7-11.
