REPORT: Utah State moving on from former Wisconsin HC Gary Andersen

Saturday morning, Dan Wolken of USA TODAY reported that the Utah States Aggies are moving on from head coach Gary Andersen. Andersen was…

Saturday morning, Dan Wolken of USA TODAY reported that the Utah States Aggies are moving on from head coach Gary Andersen.

Andersen was the head coach for Wisconsin for two seasons in 2013 and 2014 and led the team to a 19-6 regular-season record. He is most well known among Badger fans for leaving Wisconsin four days after their 59-0 loss to Ohio State in the 2014 Big Ten Championship game.

Nov 22, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Gary Andersen talks to linebacker Vince Biegel (47) during a timeout against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

The Badgers then chose to play the 2014 Rose Bowl with Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez as interim head coach. Andersen cited family reasons and frustration with Wisconsin’s high admission standards for his early exit and move to Oregon State.

Andersen coached for two and a half seasons with the Oregon State Beavers as their head coach but was fired midseason of 2017. He then coached for Utah State as an assistant head coach for the 2018 season before being named the head coach at the end year.

Oct 5, 2019; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Utah State Aggies head coach Gary Andersen looks on during the first half against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

In Andersen’s first season as head coach in 2019, the Aggies finished 7-6 overall and third in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference. Utah State started this season at a disappointing 0-3 and has chosen to part ways with Gary Andersen because of it.

Gary Andersen has had a difficult time finding a home as an FBS head coach since he left Wisconsin, and it will be interesting to see where he goes after his second firing in four seasons.

College Football News Preview 2020: Oregon State Beavers

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Oregon State Beavers season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Oregon State Beavers season with what you need to know.


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– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
Schedule Analysis
– Oregon State Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

2019 Record: 5-7 overall, 4-5 in Pac-12
Head Coach: Jonathan Smith, 3rd year, 7-17
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 55
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 77
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 68

Obviously, no one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.

5. College Football News Preview 2020: Oregon State Beavers Offense 3 Things To Know

The Beaver offense had its moments. It scored 35 or more six times as the team came up with the most points since 2013. However, all three of the top skill guys are done.

QB Jake Luton is now a Jacksonville Jaguars, top receiver Isaiah Hodgins is a Buffalo Bill, and leading rusher Artavis Pierce is done. There are good replacement – there aren’t any issues with the skill parts.

The O line is a different story with three starters gone –  the loss of left tackle Blake Brandel is the biggest issue. The pass protection was fine, the running game was decent, and the line was good enough to get by. Now it’ll need some reworking.


CFN in 60 Video: Oregon State Beavers Preview
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Jermar Jefferson was the star of the 2018 offense, but the junior running back who tore off 1,380 yards and 12 scores the year before was held to 685 yards and eight scores. He was able to push past his ankle injury enough to run for over 100 yards three times. He’s back along with junior BJ Baylor and junior Calvin Tyler in a deep group.

Is Tristan Gebbia ready to take over the quarterback gig? He saw a little bit of time in four games, completing 63% of his passes for 347 yards and two scores with a pick. The former Nebraska Cornhusker will be in for a fight with five other options getting a shot.

Hodgins is gone along with No. 2 target Timmy Hernandez. Junior Champ Flemings was second on the team with 32 catches averaging over 14 yards per grab. Florida State transfer Tre’Shaun Harrison and Washington transfer Trey Lowe need to bring instant help.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Oregon State Beavers Defense 3 Things To Know