Report: Southern Miss targeting former Utah State coach Blake Anderson as offensive coordinator

Southern Miss is targeting former Utah State head coach Blake Anderson as its next offensive coordinator, according to a report from CBS Sports. He was previously let go as the Aggies’ head coach following an investigation.

Anderson was at the center of a university investigation that ultimately led to the decision to fire him in July. However, Anderson took legal action after saying he was “wrongfully” terminated.

Anderson is one of the first big hires for incoming Southern Miss head coach Charles Huff. He previously worked at Southern Miss from 2008-11, starting out as run game coordinator and working his way up to offensive coordinator from 2010-11.

After two years as the offensive coordinator at North Carolina from 2012-13, Anderson got his first head coaching opportunity at Arkansas State. He went 51-37, including 38-18 in Sun Belt play, before taking over at Utah State.

After Utah State announced plans to fire Blake Anderson, he announced his intention to file a lawsuit for wrongful termination. The school alleged he failed to comply with Title IX and properly report a case regarding domestic violence that resulted in one of his player’s arrest.

“Coach Anderson herein states publicly and with certainty that he completely denies having engaged in any wrongdoing, and looks forward to the truth and details underlying that truth being revealed through the appropriate process – in a court of law before a selected jury of his peers,” part of the release reads. Coach Anderson also notes that the longer certain individuals at USU choose to drag this matter out, failing to publicly take accountability for their breach of his contract, the more damage accrues to USU’s reputation and also to Coach Anderson, whose career has been substantially harmed

“Coach Anderson, as a husband, father, coach, and leader, does not condone any type of abuse whatsoever and has always been the first to step m to prevent those behaviors and enforce accountability when these issues have arisen. Coach Anderson followed all of the proper reporting processes during his time at USU and throughout his lengthy coaching career, and has always complied with Title IX and all University policies as trained by USU and every other University where he has coached.”