Former Arkansas State coach calls investigation that led to Utah State firing a ‘farce’

Utah State head coach Blake Anderson looks at the video board near the end of the second half of the famed Idaho Potato Bowl NCAA college football game against Georgia State on Dec. 23, 2023, in Boise, Idaho. The former Utah State coach’s response to the school’s termination letter says he was fired for “convenience” and not for cause, and that the investigation that led to his firing was a “farce.” (Photo courtesy of Associated Press)

Utah State’s Blake Anderson was fired for contacting a possible domestic violence victim and a witness to the incident following the arrest of an Aggies football player and for failing to properly report the case, according to a termination letter sent to the coach earlier this month.

The Associated Press received the final report of the review conducted by the law firm Husch Blackwell as well as the resignation letters from athletic director Diana Sabau and president Elizabeth Cantwell on Friday as part of a records request.

The review found that Anderson had violated university policy by failing to report information to the Office of Equity.

“He further undermined the university’s goal of responding diligently to sexual misconduct cases by delaying the suspension of this student-athlete and failing to disclose the information about the arrest to other university administrators while discussing climate issues within the football program,” the report said.

Anderson’s response to the school’s termination letter said he was fired for “convenience” rather than for cause, and that the investigation that led to his firing was a “farce.”

Anderson’s attorney, Tom Mars, posted excerpts from the 70-page response delivered to the school earlier this week on social media on Friday. Anderson’s dismissal was made official on Thursday. Utah State University had notified him on July 2 of its intent to fire him for cause after an investigation found he had violated Title IX guidelines on reporting cases of sexual misconduct.

The incident involving the player occurred in April 2023. The State of Utah commissioned an investigation in August 2023.

Anderson told investigators, according to the report, that he went on an “investigative mission” to determine whether disciplinary action should be taken against the player after being informed of an incident.

“While failure to report sexual misconduct alone is grounds for termination, your violations of USU Policy 340 were far more serious. As set forth in the investigation’s findings and conclusions, you acknowledged that you not only failed to report the sexual misconduct, but you also undertook the investigation into the matter yourself and interviewed not only the student-athlete, but also the potential victim and a witness to the event that led to the student-athlete’s arrest, and obtained written statements from those witnesses,” the termination letter states.

Assistant Vice President and Associate Athletic Director for External Relations Jerry Bovee and Football Director of Player Development and Community Austin Albrecht were also fired “due to violations of university policies related to reporting sexual and domestic violence and breach of professional duties.”

Anderson’s response referenced Kansas’ firing of then-head football coach David Beaty in 2018, which marked the beginning of a trend in college sports in which universities try to invent reasons to fire highly paid coaches without paying the agreed-upon severance package.

Beaty won a $2.5 million settlement with Kansas. Anderson had a contract through 2027 and his contract included severance pay.

The response said the state of Utah failed to understand the limitations of its policies and violated standards for a professional investigation while “grasping at every straw to find a reason.”

The response states that Utah State owes Anderson full severance pay – which was $4.5 million last December, according to USA Today’s coaching salary database – and a public apology.

“While I recognize that today’s decision has significant implications, it is the only one that could be made based on the facts,” Cantwell said Thursday in a statement announcing Anderson’s firing. “We are committed to moving forward in building a successful athletic program based on student success and integrity.”

Anderson, 55, was 23-17 in three seasons at Utah State and won a Mountain West title. He went 6-7 in each of the last two seasons. In 10 seasons as a college football coach, including seven seasons at Arkansas State, he has a 74-54 record.

Nate Dreiling, who previously served as Utah State’s defensive coordinator and defensive ends coach, was promoted to interim coach for the upcoming season on July 2.

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