[jwplayer 18QegcJn-sNi3MVSU]
Utah State Had Big Names Interested In Opening
Multiple Power 5 coaches were part of the search.
Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire
Is Utah State settling with Gary Andersen?
All signs point to bringing back Gary Andersen for a second go around and boosters are a big reason why Andersen is the top candidate.
This move could be announced sometimes this weekend, according to SB Nation’s Steven Godfrey.
Also of note in that SB Nation piece is that the Aggies had a good roster of candidates to consider.
SB Nation can confirm former Arizona and West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez, Maryland interim head coach Matt Canada, and former Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich were among the names being considered for the job
Those are some solid names who have had a varying level of success not just at the FBS level but at Power 5 schools.
One has to wonder if the Aggies boosters and decision makers all falling for comfort and nostalgia by having Andersen return.
Hiring Andersen may work out great because he has had success at Utah State which led to success at Wisconsin, but struggling and stepping down mid-season after a short time at Oregon State is concerning.
Maybe the thinking is that Andersen is a long-term hire and he will stick around for a while, whereas the other coaches may view this Utah State job as a stepping stone gig and way to get back to a Power 5 job.
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