Utah State tells soccer coach Blake Anderson of intent to fireplace

Utah State has knowledgeable soccer coach Blake Anderson of its intent to fireplace him after an exterior investigation of alleged noncompliance of Title IX insurance policies “that require full and well timed reporting of disclosures of sexual misconduct, together with home violence,” it was introduced Tuesday.

In an announcement, Utah State mentioned the investigation stemmed from “actions taken in spring 2023” that “violated each his employment settlement and college coverage.” It additionally alleges Anderson having violated guidelines that “prohibit staff from investigating disclosures of sexual misconduct themselves.”

The college mentioned Anderson has 14 days to reply underneath phrases of his employment settlement.

Deputy athletic director Jerry Bovee and director of participant improvement Austin Albrecht had been additionally fired “for violations of college insurance policies associated to the reporting of sexual and home violence and failures {of professional} obligations.”

Defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling has been named interim coach for the 2024 season, whereas athletic director Diana Sabau met with the staff and the soccer employees Tuesday to tell them of the information.

“As leaders, we’re answerable for guaranteeing allegations of USU coverage violations are investigated,” college president Elizabeth Cantwell and Sabau mentioned in a joint assertion. “At this time’s actions are the results of an intensive exterior investigation, and we consider the proof calls for instant motion.

“Our job is to fearlessly maintain ourselves and others accountable for his or her conduct and to ensure that, for the sake of our college students and our group, we live the values of our college. Whereas recognizing the influence of those choices on our scholar athletes and soccer program, we are going to proceed to take the steps essential to ship a respectful, clear and successful tradition at Utah State College.”

Anderson, 55, has gone 23-17 in three seasons at Utah State, successful the Mountain West Convention in 2021. The Aggies, nonetheless, have gone 6-7 in back-to-back seasons since, dropping within the Well-known Idaho Potato Bowl to cap final season.

He beforehand served as coach at Arkansas State, going 51-37 from 2014 to 2020. He took a go away of absence previous to the 2019 season simply earlier than his spouse, Wendy Anderson, died after a two-year combat with breast most cancers.

Utah State opens the 2024 season towards Robert Morris on Aug. 31 earlier than visiting USC and internet hosting Utah within the following two weeks.

The Related Press contributed to this report.