Utah State introduced Thursday it has formally fired soccer coach Blake Anderson, two weeks after giving him discover of the varsity’s intent to terminate his contract.
In a press release launched Thursday, Utah State mentioned:
“This motion is predicated on important violations of his contractual obligations associated to USU’s worker reporting necessities. These reporting necessities embody a prohibition on staff exterior the USU Workplace of Fairness from investigating problems with sexual misconduct, together with home violence. Moreover, Anderson didn’t handle the group in a way that displays USU’s educational values.”
Anderson did reply to the allegations throughout the 14 days after he obtained discover, by the use of a 70-page response submitted by Anderson and his lawyer Tom Mars.
“Coach Anderson’s authorized group believes this choice — in addition to USU’s intentionally inflammatory July 2 press launch — violate the phrases of Coach Anderson’s employment settlement and the implied covenant of fine religion,” Mars mentioned in a press release. “We will likely be pursuing all out there authorized cures on his behalf.”
In its unique discover two weeks in the past, the varsity cited “actions taken (by Anderson) in spring 2023.” The college additionally introduced within the unique assertion that it additionally dismissed Jerry Bovee, a deputy athletic director who was interim AD in 2023, and Austin Albrecht, director of participant growth and group. They have been a part of the identical investigation.
The Athletic on Thursday reported that the impetus of the investigation was a home violence incident in April 2023.
Defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling will function the interim coach for the Aggies this season.
Anderson, 55, was heading into his fourth season at Utah State. He compiled a 23-17 document, together with a second consecutive 6-7 marketing campaign in 2023.
The Aggies completed 11-3 throughout his first season with the Mountain West program in 2021 and gained the LA Bowl, ending the yr at No. 24 within the Related Press Prime 25.
Anderson is 74-54 general, together with seven seasons at Arkansas State from 2014-20.
Utah State opens the season in opposition to Robert Morris on Aug. 31.
–Discipline Stage Media
