Wisconsin has found its new head coach, and it's  Utah State  's Gary Andersen.

Reports first surfaced on Tuesday evening that the Utah State coach had interviewed for the position and had emerged as a favorite, and now reports say Andersen is no longer the favorite. He's the choice.

The Wisconsin State Journal is reporting that Andersen is a done deal and will succeed Bret Bielema at Wisconsin.

Bielema caught Wisconsin and just about everybody in the college football world off-guard earlier this month when he left to take the Arkansas job.

Utah State finished its season with a win over Toledo in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Saturday. That win improved the Aggies to 11-2 on the season and the Aggies are currently ranked 18 in the AP Poll. One of those losses came against Wisconsin in September, as the Badgers needed to comeback from a 14-3 deficit and for Utah State to miss a late field goal to emerge with the 16-14 win.

Barry Alvarez must have been impressed with what he saw.

Considering that Wisconsin was somewhat late to the game thanks to Bielema's sudden departure, this is a solid hire by the Badgers. Andersen took over a Utah State program that hadn't accomplished much in the past and after only four seasons he not only led the Aggies to that 11-2 record and first conference title since it won the Big West in 1997, but into both the AP and Coaches polls.

thedude15 wrote: dam both USU and SJSU lose their coach.

It looks like we will at least get to keep our head coach one more year. Lucky us I guess .



It SUCKS how much cash the big time programs have. Really hard to keep good coaches as a mid major.

Fangdog wrote:

thedude15 wrote: dam both USU and SJSU lose their coach.

It looks like we will at least get to keep our head coach one more year. Lucky us I guess .



It SUCKS how much cash the big time programs have. Really hard to keep good coaches as a mid major.

Which is why I keep saying Fresno has got to either have Boise and SDSU back in the MWC with a new TV contract or Fresno gets an invite to the BE. Even then I don't know if it will be enough to keep successful Fresno coaches.

winthewac wrote: I think we are fortunate that wisky did not hire CTD.....

should be the end of the merry go round for this year....

I think we lose him next year...... tough loss for USU... they have a great team coming back.

Fangdog wrote:

thedude15 wrote: dam both USU and SJSU lose their coach.

It looks like we will at least get to keep our head coach one more year. Lucky us I guess .



It SUCKS how much cash the big time programs have. Really hard to keep good coaches as a mid major.

Which is why I keep saying Fresno has got to either have Boise and SDSU back in the MWC with a new TV contract or Fresno gets an invite to the BE. Even then I don't know if it will be enough to keep successful Fresno coaches.

RedDog wrote: There is a recent tweet stating several western schools are contacting Aresco. I wonder who?

RedDog wrote: There is a recent tweet stating several western schools are contacting Aresco. I wonder who?

Fangdog wrote:

thedude15 wrote: dam both USU and SJSU lose their coach.

It looks like we will at least get to keep our head coach one more year. Lucky us I guess .



It SUCKS how much cash the big time programs have. Really hard to keep good coaches as a mid major.

Which is why I keep saying Fresno has got to either have Boise and SDSU back in the MWC with a new TV contract or Fresno gets an invite to the BE. Even then I don't know if it will be enough to keep successful Fresno coaches.

RedDog wrote: I have a feeling we are holding off thinking others will too, but in end other MW will leave and we will be stuck. karma.

thedude15 wrote: 

The MW IS gonna lose some schools to the Big Least. We just got to hope Fresno is one of them.

SJMDog wrote: Damn, that sucks.

goBulldogs01 wrote: At least they waited until after their bowl game. Unlike the other foos.

anointed1sux wrote: Utah State will be fine.  They have very competent AD in Scott Barnes (I was hoping for him instead of Boeh) and he will make a good hire.

Fangdog wrote:

anointed1sux wrote: Utah State will be fine.  They have very competent AD in Scott Barnes (I was hoping for him instead of Boeh) and he will make a good hire.

You make a good point of view, IMO.

When a successful coach leaves, the majority of fans automatically predict doom and gloom. It does not necessarily have to be this way at all. True there is a risk and as it is with any risk there is a probability for failure, but there is always a probability for success as well. Examples of this are everywhere. 

There are a lot of smart young assistant coaches out there who are working for successful head coaches. One would have to assume these people have the ability to emulate and add positives from their own experiences.

As the financial rewards for successful coaches in the coaching profession has escalated, one would have to expect the attraction to the coaching profession would be of high quality people.

IMO, the key is not so much the new hire as it is the AD and President having enough sense to know the difference between a high quality probability new coach and one not so much. I know there is always the awkward and struggle of transition, but this issue can be of short duration with the right hire. To say, "Utah State is screwed now" has no more validity than saying, "Utah State will barely miss a beat"......it is just another opportunity for someone......and yes, an opportunity to succeed or fail.

anointed1sux wrote: Utah State will be fine.  They have very competent AD in Scott Barnes (I was hoping for him instead of Boeh) and he will make a good hire.

anointed1sux wrote:

Fangdog wrote:

anointed1sux wrote: Utah State will be fine.  They have very competent AD in Scott Barnes (I was hoping for him instead of Boeh) and he will make a good hire.

You make a good point of view, IMO.

When a successful coach leaves, the majority of fans automatically predict doom and gloom. It does not necessarily have to be this way at all. True there is a risk and as it is with any risk there is a probability for failure, but there is always a probability for success as well. Examples of this are everywhere. 

There are a lot of smart young assistant coaches out there who are working for successful head coaches. One would have to assume these people have the ability to emulate and add positives from their own experiences.

As the financial rewards for successful coaches in the coaching profession has escalated, one would have to expect the attraction to the coaching profession would be of high quality people.

IMO, the key is not so much the new hire as it is the AD and President having enough sense to know the difference between a high quality probability new coach and one not so much. I know there is always the awkward and struggle of transition, but this issue can be of short duration with the right hire. To say, "Utah State is screwed now" has no more validity than saying, "Utah State will barely miss a beat"......it is just another opportunity for someone......and yes, an opportunity to succeed or fail.

Gary Andersen was one of Scott's first hires, and as for attracting a coach, Chuckie Keeton is back so the cupboard is not bare for a coach trying to move up the ranks.  Granted the new coach will have to follow-up on an 11-2 season, unlike CTD, who had some serious athletes/talent and only had to improve on a 4 win season by Hill.  It was a no brainer for CTD to take the Fresno job.

anointed1sux wrote:

Fangdog wrote:

anointed1sux wrote: Utah State will be fine.  They have very competent AD in Scott Barnes (I was hoping for him instead of Boeh) and he will make a good hire.

You make a good point of view, IMO.

When a successful coach leaves, the majority of fans automatically predict doom and gloom. It does not necessarily have to be this way at all. True there is a risk and as it is with any risk there is a probability for failure, but there is always a probability for success as well. Examples of this are everywhere. 

There are a lot of smart young assistant coaches out there who are working for successful head coaches. One would have to assume these people have the ability to emulate and add positives from their own experiences.

As the financial rewards for successful coaches in the coaching profession has escalated, one would have to expect the attraction to the coaching profession would be of high quality people.

IMO, the key is not so much the new hire as it is the AD and President having enough sense to know the difference between a high quality probability new coach and one not so much. I know there is always the awkward and struggle of transition, but this issue can be of short duration with the right hire. To say, "Utah State is screwed now" has no more validity than saying, "Utah State will barely miss a beat"......it is just another opportunity for someone......and yes, an opportunity to succeed or fail.

Gary Andersen was one of Scott's first hires, and as for attracting a coach, Chuckie Keeton is back so the cupboard is not bare for a coach trying to move up the ranks.  Granted the new coach will have to follow-up on an 11-2 season, unlike CTD, who had some serious athletes/talent and only had to improve on a 4 win season by Hill.  It was a no brainer for CTD to take the Fresno job.

Fangdog wrote:

anointed1sux wrote: Utah State will be fine.  They have very competent AD in Scott Barnes (I was hoping for him instead of Boeh) and he will make a good hire.

You make a good point of view, IMO.

When a successful coach leaves, the majority of fans automatically predict doom and gloom. It does not necessarily have to be this way at all. True there is a risk and as it is with any risk there is a probability for failure, but there is always a probability for success as well. Examples of this are everywhere. 

There are a lot of smart young assistant coaches out there who are working for successful head coaches. One would have to assume these people have the ability to emulate and add positives from their own experiences.

As the financial rewards for successful coaches in the coaching profession has escalated, one would have to expect the attraction to the coaching profession would be of high quality people.

IMO, the key is not so much the new hire as it is the AD and President having enough sense to know the difference between a high quality probability new coach and one not so much. I know there is always the awkward and struggle of transition, but this issue can be of short duration with the right hire. To say, "Utah State is screwed now" has no more validity than saying, "Utah State will barely miss a beat"......it is just another opportunity for someone......and yes, an opportunity to succeed or fail.

Sparatore wrote:

Fangdog wrote:

anointed1sux wrote: Utah State will be fine.  They have very competent AD in Scott Barnes (I was hoping for him instead of Boeh) and he will make a good hire.

You make a good point of view, IMO.

When a successful coach leaves, the majority of fans automatically predict doom and gloom. It does not necessarily have to be this way at all. True there is a risk and as it is with any risk there is a probability for failure, but there is always a probability for success as well. Examples of this are everywhere. 

There are a lot of smart young assistant coaches out there who are working for successful head coaches. One would have to assume these people have the ability to emulate and add positives from their own experiences.

As the financial rewards for successful coaches in the coaching profession has escalated, one would have to expect the attraction to the coaching profession would be of high quality people.

IMO, the key is not so much the new hire as it is the AD and President having enough sense to know the difference between a high quality probability new coach and one not so much. I know there is always the awkward and struggle of transition, but this issue can be of short duration with the right hire. To say, "Utah State is screwed now" has no more validity than saying, "Utah State will barely miss a beat"......it is just another opportunity for someone......and yes, an opportunity to succeed or fail.

Great post Fang.  I think SJSU and Utah State will be fine as long as they find a coach with the right attitude and work ethic.  Both teams have a lot of talent coming back... it's all about the kids "buying in."  I think we have seen a perfect example of this in CTD and what a team is capable of with the right coach.

winthewac wrote: I think we are fortunate that wisky did not hire CTD.....

should be the end of the merry go round for this year....

I think we lose him next year...... tough loss for USU... they have a great team coming back.

DogFan8 wrote:

anointed1sux wrote: Utah State will be fine.  They have very competent AD in Scott Barnes (I was hoping for him instead of Boeh) and he will make a good hire.

File this one away for future reference. (For those who don't know, Scott Barnes is a former FSU basketball player who played under Coach Boyd Grant.)

And Boyd Grant loved Fresno State, I happen to be related to him.  He also has a brother by the name of Tiny Grant that graduated from Univ of Utah and played Center for the Green Bay Packers in the late 50's.  Great family and their word was their bond

FresnoStater wrote:

anointed1sux wrote:

Fangdog wrote:

anointed1sux wrote: Utah State will be fine.  They have very competent AD in Scott Barnes (I was hoping for him instead of Boeh) and he will make a good hire.

You make a good point of view, IMO.

When a successful coach leaves, the majority of fans automatically predict doom and gloom. It does not necessarily have to be this way at all. True there is a risk and as it is with any risk there is a probability for failure, but there is always a probability for success as well. Examples of this are everywhere. 

There are a lot of smart young assistant coaches out there who are working for successful head coaches. One would have to assume these people have the ability to emulate and add positives from their own experiences.

As the financial rewards for successful coaches in the coaching profession has escalated, one would have to expect the attraction to the coaching profession would be of high quality people.

IMO, the key is not so much the new hire as it is the AD and President having enough sense to know the difference between a high quality probability new coach and one not so much. I know there is always the awkward and struggle of transition, but this issue can be of short duration with the right hire. To say, "Utah State is screwed now" has no more validity than saying, "Utah State will barely miss a beat"......it is just another opportunity for someone......and yes, an opportunity to succeed or fail.

Gary Andersen was one of Scott's first hires, and as for attracting a coach, Chuckie Keeton is back so the cupboard is not bare for a coach trying to move up the ranks.  Granted the new coach will have to follow-up on an 11-2 season, unlike CTD, who had some serious athletes/talent and only had to improve on a 4 win season by Hill.  It was a no brainer for CTD to take the Fresno job.

You guys both make some really good points. I will say this for Utah State fans: it took 14 years and three fired coaches before Andersen delivered another winning record for the Aggies in 2011 since their last one in 1996. But if he doesn't totally gut his staff going to Wisconsin with him you'd hope they can promote from within and they can keep some momentum going there.

From reading their board, he is taking quite a few of his assistants with him, they are not happy campers right now