Blake Anderson's attorney Tom Mars issues blunt statement on USU's 'inflammatory' press release after Utah State fires HC

Blake Anderson was officially dismissed by Utah State on Thursday, just over two weeks after the Aggies gave him notice of intent to terminate his contract on July 2nd. After Anderson's dismissal, his attorney Tom Mars hit back at USU, expressing disappointment with Utah State's final decision.

Mars tweeted a statement on Anderson's firing:

“We were disappointed to learn this evening that Utah State University has terminated the employment of head football coach Blake Anderson. Coach Anderson’s legal team believes this decision — as well as USU’s deliberately inflammatory July 2nd press release — violate the terms of Coach Anderson’s Employment Agreement and the implied covenant of good faith.

“We will be pursuing all available legal remedies on his behalf. Coach Anderson will be issuing his own statement at the appropriate time.”

Utah State had placed Anderson on administrative leave for the past two weeks after an investigation concerning domestic violence and his alleged actions during an incident in 2023 as per The Athletic. The university said that these actions "violated both his employment agreement and university policy," as per a statement released earlier this month.

Anderson was given a notice of intent to terminate and had 14 days to respond as part of his contract with the program. Mars submitted a 70-page response to Utah State on Monday, but the university announced its final decision to part ways with Anderson on Thursday.

Since Anderson was removed from his duties, Nate Dreiling has been named as Utah State's interim head coach.

A look at Blake Anderson's Utah State record

Former Utah State Aggies HC Blake Anderson (Image Credits - IMAGN)

The Utah State Aggies appointed Anderson as their head coach in December 2020. He led the Aggies to an 11-3 record in his first season, winning the Mountain West championship.

However, the former coach was unable to replicate that success in the next two years. He guided the Aggies to a 6-7 record in each season and lost both bowl games. Across three seasons with Utah State, he compiled a 23-17 record. Prior to taking up the Utah State job, Anderson spent seven years at Arkansas State, where he posted a 51-37 coaching record.