ESPN: Blake Anderson 'fact-finding mission' into Utah State domestic violence arrest led to firing

When Utah State announced the dismissal of head football coach Blake Anderson on July 2, it sent a shockwave through college football, as fans and media members alike searched for answers.

Now, more information is coming to light, courtesy of Dan Murphy of ESPN. According to his report, “Utah State’s athletic director and university president told football coach Blake Anderson that he was fired for attempting to personally investigate the circumstances of a player’s domestic violence arrest, according to a termination letter obtained by ESPN Friday.”

According to Murphy, the now-former Utah State leader “contacted the girlfriend and roommate of a Utah State football player in April 2023 after learning that the player had been arrested due to an alleged domestic abuse incident, according to an investigation commissioned by the university.

“Anderson said he was on a ‘fact-finding mission’ to determine if the player should be suspended or if they needed to take any further action, according to an investigative report obtained via public records request.”

While Utah State cited multiple reasons for firing Anderson, they specifically highlighted his efforts to “investigate” the player’s behavior rather than immediately report the issue to the university’s Office of Equity as one of their main culprits, per Murphy.

“Most egregiously, you engaged in investigative efforts regarding the domestic violence arrest, including meeting with and collecting written statements from the potential victim and another witness,” the letter states, via ESPN. “You undertook these actions following an arrest and while a criminal investigation was ongoing.”

Since, the former Utah State leader has denied any mishandling of the aforementioned situation via his attorney, Tom Mars.

Mars said that he will pursue “all available legal remedies” while stating the school owed Anderson the buyout money guaranteed in his contract, a public apology and a retraction of its “defamatory press release,” per ESPN.

“It didn’t matter to USU what we said to rip their case to shreds. The die was cast. I’d be surprised if USU even considered our response,” Mars said, via a statement provided to ESPN on Friday. “Contrary to USU’s press releases, this dispute has nothing to do with any violations of Title IX. None were even alleged.

“What’s more, the USU policy Coach Anderson was falsely accused of violating is entitled ‘Non-Title IX Policy.'”

In the meantime, Utah State defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling has been filling the role of the team’s head coach, but it’s evident the saga between Blake Anderson and Utah State may take some more time to find a conclusion.

This story is developing.