Utah State University Athletics

GARY ANDERSEN
Salt Lake City, Utah
Head Football Coach (2009-12; 2019-20)

Gary Andersen's hiring as Utah State's head coach on Dec. 4, 2008, began a transformation within the program that changed the course of Aggie Football forever. Over two tenures spanning more than five years, he established a foundation of sustained success, turning Utah State into a consistent winner. Andersen built the program on core values and prioritized the development of student-athletes academically, socially and athletically and focused on success both off and on the field, which set the foundation for sustained success.
 
Taking over in December 2008, Andersen inherited a program that had endured 11 consecutive losing seasons, had not reached a bowl game since 1997, and had only two winning seasons in the previous 28 years. Three years later, the 2011 team won five straight games to secure Utah State's first winning season and bowl appearance in 14 years, finishing 7-6 with a berth in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. That season also marked the first time in 18 years that the Aggies reached seven wins.
 
In 2012, Utah State fielded one of the best teams in school history, finishing with an 11-2 record to set the school record for wins in a season. The Aggies went 6-0 in Western Athletic Conference play to secure their first outright conference championship since 1936. They then won just the second bowl game in school history, claiming the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Championship.
 
Utah State finished the season ranked No. 16 in the Associated Press Poll, marking only the second time in program history it ended a season nationally ranked. The Aggies also record back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1979-80. In recognition of the team's success, Andersen was named WAC Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award.
 
Andersen was rehired on Dec. 9, 2018, becoming the only coach in program history to serve multiple tenures as head coach. In 2019, he led Utah State to a berth in the Frisco Bowl, marking his third bowl appearance with the Aggies.
 
Overall, his 33 career wins rank fifth in school history, and his three bowl appearances are tied for the second-most. His teams produced seven All-Americans, 10 NFL Draft picks, 24 players on NFL rosters, four players on CFL rosters, and 45 all-conference selections.
 
Off the field, Andersen prioritized academic and personal development. Utah State earned national Academic Progress Rate (APR) recognition, led the WAC and Mountain West conferences in Graduation Success Rate in multiple seasons, and had over 100 players named to All-Academic teams. In 2019, the Aggies posted a 3.02 GPA, the highest in program history, with 43 players on the Honor Roll and 21 earning a 3.5 GPA or higher.
 
Andersen, and his wife Stacey, along with their children and grandchildren, have all made Logan their home.