Former Utah State coach Blake Anderson has responded to the school's termination letter, claiming he was fired for 'convenience' rather than for cause. His attorney shared excerpts from the 70-page response, stating that the investigation leading to his dismissal was a 'sham.' Anderson was officially terminated on Thursday after being notified of the school's intent to dismiss him for failing to comply with Title IX policies regarding the reporting of sexual misconduct cases.
The response highlighted that the university's investigation began last year following an incident in April 2023. It referenced a trend in college sports, citing Kansas' dismissal of a football coach in 2018, where schools allegedly manufacture reasons to fire highly paid coaches without paying the agreed-upon buyout.
Anderson, who had a contract through 2027 with a buyout clause, is seeking his full buyout amounting to $4.5 million as of last December, as well as a public apology from Utah State. The response claimed that the school failed to understand its policies' limitations and conducted an unprofessional investigation, resulting in false allegations against Anderson.
University president Elizabeth Cantwell stated that the decision to terminate Anderson was based on facts and emphasized the commitment to building a successful athletics program grounded in student success and integrity. Anderson, 55, had a record of 23-17 with a Mountain West title in three seasons at Utah State and a total of 74-54 in 10 seasons as a major college football coach.
The Aggies are set to open the 2024 season on Aug. 31 against Robert Morris. The situation surrounding Anderson's termination continues to unfold as both parties stand by their positions.
