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This article is about the football player. For the American actor, see Blake Anderson.

Robert Blake Anderson (born March 24, 1969) is an American football coach and former player. He was the head coach at Utah State University from 2021 through 2023.[1][2] Anderson previously served as the head coach at Arkansas State University from 2014 to 2020, the offensive coordinator at the University of North Carolina from 2012 to 2013, and the offensive coordinator, run game coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Southern Mississippi from 2009 to 2011.[3][4]

Playing career

Anderson began his playing career as a quarterback and wide receiver at Baylor University from 1987 to 1989, but tore his ACL during practice. After his recovery, he chose to transfer to Sam Houston State University where he played as a wide receiver for the Bearkats from 1989 to 1991. At Sam Houston State, he was named to the Southland Conference All-Academic team as a senior. During his college days, he played in the I formation and Veer offenses popular at the time.[5] Sam Houston State defensive coordinator Mike Lucas told Anderson that he believed he was suited for a coaching role.[6]

Coaching career

Eastern New Mexico (1992–1993)

Anderson got his start from Howard Stearns at the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds as a graduate assistant in 1992 and received a full-time position there tutoring wide receivers for the Greyhounds in 1993.[citation needed]

Howard Payne (1994)

In 1994, he coached wide receivers for the American Southwest Conference co-champion Howard Payne University Yellow Jackets under head coach Vance Gibson.[citation needed]

Trinity Valley (1995–1998)

Anderson joined the Trinity Valley in 1995 as an assistant. He was the offensive coordinator during the Cardinals run to the 1997 NJCAA National Championship under coach Scott Conley.[citation needed]

New Mexico (1999–2001)

Before the 1999 season, he joined New Mexico as running backs coach under Rocky Long and served in that position until 2000. During the 2001 season, he took the wide receivers coaching position. During the 2000 season his rushing attack averaged 148 yards per game which accounted for 56% of the team's offensive production.[citation needed]

Middle Tennessee (2002–2004)

In 2002 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders coach Andy McCollum hired Anderson to serve as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach in replacement of Larry Fedora who had left for Florida. At Middle Tennessee he was exposed to variations of the hurry-up offense which dramatically changed his outlook.[5] The Blue Raiders passing offense increased each year under his tenure, improving from 154.0 yards per game in 2002 to 226.7 in 2003 and 267.7 in 2004. Anderson's offense led the Sun Belt Conference in scoring offense in 2003 and saw the school's first 1,000 yard receiver in 2004. After leaving Middle Tennessee he left coaching for three years for a stint in private business.[7]

Louisiana–Lafayette (2007)

Anderson was hired by Coach Rickey Bustle as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns for the 2007 football season, replacing Rob Christophel. Anderson's offense churned out over 250 yards per game on the ground, making it the #6 ranked rushing offense in the nation. The 2007 Ragin' Cajuns became the Sun Belt's first ever 3,000-yard rushing team.[citation needed]

Southern Miss (2008–2011)

Anderson joined Southern Miss Golden Eagles in 2008 as quarterbacks coach and run game coordinator under new coach Fedora. He mentored record-setting future National Football League quarterback Austin Davis during his freshman and sophomore years and was promoted to offensive coordinator for the 2010 season where the Golden Eagles averaged 36.9 points per game. Anderson was the play-caller during Southern Miss's 12-win season in 2011 including the Conference USA Football Championship Game victory over the previously unbeaten Houston Cougars. Southern Miss capped off the 2011 season with a 24-17 victory over Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl.[8]

North Carolina (2012–2013)

When Fedora left Southern Miss for the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2012 he took Anderson along as his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. In his inaugural season with the Tar Heels, Anderson oversaw an offense that produced 485.6 yards per game, setting over 35 school records, and ending the campaign ranked eighth in the nation in scoring. During the 2013 campaign his offense gained 432.4 yards per game.[9]

Arkansas State (2014–2020)

Anderson was announced as Arkansas State's head coach on December 19, 2013. He became Arkansas State's fifth head coach in five years, replacing Bryan Harsin who had left for Boise State.[10][11] Arkansas State played in 6 consecutive bowl games and won 2 Sun Belt conference championships under Anderson.

Utah State (2021–2023)

On December 12, 2020, Anderson was hired to be the head coach at Utah State University, replacing Gary Andersen.[12] Utah State announced its intention to fire Anderson on July 2, 2024, prior to the start of the 2024 football season following an internal investigation. [13] He is alleged to have been non-compliant with university rules regarding complaints of sexual misconduct. Defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling succeeded Anderson as interim head coach.[14][15]

Personal life

Anderson was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas but moved to Hubbard, Texas at an early age. He graduated from Hubbard High School.[16] He obtained a degree in kinesiology from Sam Houston State in 1992 and his master's degree in sports administration from Eastern New Mexico University in 1994.[17]

Anderson married his first wife, Wendy, in 1992. They had three children together: sons Coleton and Cason, and daughter Callie.[18] Wendy died on August 20, 2019, at the age of 49, after public battle with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Defensive coordinator David Duggan coached the team during Anderson's leave.[19][20] Following his move to Utah State, Anderson married the former Brittany King in 2021 and adopted her two daughters Collins and Ellison. Further tragedy struck in February 2022 when Cason Anderson died by suicide at the age of 21.[18]

Anderson is a Christian.[21]

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Arkansas State Red Wolves (Sun Belt Conference) (2014–2020)
2014 Arkansas State 7–6 5–3 T–4th L GoDaddy
2015 Arkansas State 9–4 8–0 1st L New Orleans
2016 Arkansas State 8–5 7–1 T–1st W Cure
2017 Arkansas State 7–5 6–2 3rd L Camellia
2018 Arkansas State 8–5 5–3 T–1st (West) L Arizona
2019 Arkansas State 8–5 5–3 2nd (West) W Camellia
2020 Arkansas State 4–7 2–6 T–3rd (West)
Arkansas State: 51–37 38–18
Utah State Aggies (Mountain West Conference) (2021–2023)
2021 Utah State 11–3 6–2 T–1st (Mountain) W LA 24 24
2022 Utah State 6–7 5–3 T–3rd (Mountain) L First Responder
2023 Utah State 6–7 4–4 T–6th L Famous Idaho Potato
Utah State: 23–17 15–9
Total: 74–54
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

  1. ^ Jag, Julie (December 12, 2020). "Utah State makes it official, hires Blake Anderson as its new football coach". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  2. ^ Russo, Ralph D. (December 10, 2020). "Arkansas State coach Anderson headed to Utah St". AP News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  3. ^ "Arkansas State Red Wolves hires Blake Anderson as new coach". ESPN. December 19, 2013.
  4. ^ Patterson, Chip (December 19, 2013). "Arkansas State hires UNC OC Blake Anderson as next head coach". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Hicks, Tommy (February 12, 2011). "Southern Miss' Blake Anderson quickly embraced up-tempo offense". gulflive.com.
  6. ^ Greenberg, Jeff (December 17, 2013). "A Look At Football Through The Eyes Of The Play-Caller". Sportsglutton. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020.
  7. ^ Hale, David (September 21, 2019). "Life, love and loss in a coaching family: The story of Blake and Wendy Anderson". ESPN.
  8. ^ Mississippi Press Correspondent (November 29, 2012). "Former offensive coordinator Blake Anderson expresses interest in Southern Miss job". gulflive. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  9. ^ Bromberg, Nick (December 19, 2013). "North Carolina assistant Blake Anderson named as Arkansas State head coach". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  10. ^ Rickman, Martin (December 19, 2013). "Arkansas State names North Carolina's Blake Anderson as its new head coach". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  11. ^ "Blake Anderson named 5th head coach in 5 years at Arkansas State". Statesboro Herald. December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  12. ^ Wolken, Dan (December 10, 2020). "Has Arkansas State launched another coach with Blake Anderson going to Utah State?". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  13. ^ Vannini, Chris. "Utah State intends to terminate football coach Blake Anderson". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  14. ^ "USU Makes Significant Changes in Football Program". Utah State Today. July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  15. ^ "Sources: Utah St. football coach unlikely to return". ESPN.com. July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  16. ^ Schulte, Troy (December 20, 2013). "ASU finds its guy, hires Anderson as latest coach". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  17. ^ Turner, Jason (December 10, 2020). "Reports: Blake Anderson to be hired as USU head football coach". The Herald Journal. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  18. ^ a b Hunter, Jeff (April 24, 2024). "THE DEEPEST GRIEF: Blake Anderson Seeks to Help Others in Need Following Another Tragic Loss". Utah State Magazine. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  19. ^ "Arkansas State coach: Wife has died of cancer". ESPN. August 20, 2019.
  20. ^ Blake Anderson [@CHbanderson] (August 20, 2019). "FINAL WENDY UPDATE 8/20 #NotFightingAlone ❤️❤️❤️ there's a celebration in heaven today cause Wendy is Home" (Tweet). Retrieved February 24, 2023 – via Twitter.
  21. ^ Romano, Jason. "SS PODCAST: Utah State coach Blake Anderson on trusting God, overcoming immense loss". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved August 1, 2023.

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