Utah defensive coordinator, Gary Andersen was in Logan today to have his second interview with the vacant Utah State job. There looks to be one other finalist, at leas publically mentioned, is former Utah State player and current University of South Florida passing game coordinator Michael "Chico" Canales.
The question is wheter Utah State wants to go after another defensive coach, since former coach Brent Guy was a defensive coordinator prior to taking the Aggie job. Anderesen is known for his recruiting and being able to bring players in Salt Lake and Logan, Utah will be a much tougher since it is isolated and about two hours from Salt Lake City,
Andersen also knows how to recruit the Utah players, where a lot of the players are of the Mormon faith abd some of those athletes go on two year missions. Andersen has experience with those types of players and understands their positions.
Most people say that you should take your first head coaching job, but the Utah State job is not good, and routinely finishes in the bottom of the WAC each year. A decision should be looming soon.
A side note that may worry Utah fans is that say Andersen takes the Utah State job, or any other, and then Kyle Whittingham leaves at the end of the year the front runner would be.... current offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig.
99 percent of Utah fans would hate that choice, and most would assume that athletice director Dr. Chris Hill would perform a search rather then promote withn.
Andersen's coaching experience
2004-current - Utah - Defensive coordinator, assistant head coach, defensive line coach
2003 - SUU - Head coach
1997-2002 - Utah - Started as defensive tackle and strong side ends coach, promoted to assistant head coach in 2001 while also coaching defensive tackles, strong side ends and serving as special teams coordinator
1995-96 - Northern Arizona - Assistant head coach, defensive line and special teams
1992-94 - Idaho State - Defensive line
1989-92 - Ricks College - Offensive line
1988 - Southeastern Louisiana - Assistant head coach, offensive coordinator