Badger of Honor
Fansided

Previewing Utah State with Logan Herald News

By Noah Seligman

LOGAN, UT - OCTOBER 16: Wide receiver Hunter Sharp
LOGAN, UT - OCTOBER 16: Wide receiver Hunter Sharp /
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TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 14: Head coach Gary Andersen of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts following a 32-30 defeat to the Arizona State Sun Devils in the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 14, 2013 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 14: Head coach Gary Andersen of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts following a 32-30 defeat to the Arizona State Sun Devils in the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 14, 2013 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

QUESTION: I do not think many Wisconsin Badger fans miss Gary Andersen.  How about in Logan, Utah?

ANSWER: It’s just the opposite in Logan.  Utah State fans definitely miss Gary Andersen. I see things on social media and hear comments all of the time.  I think people love Coach Andersen so much because he excelled at recruiting in-state talent, especially in the Polynesian community.  I’m not saying Coach Wells does poorly in this area, but Andersen is definitely regarded by Aggie fans as a fabulous recruiter.  Additionally, Andersen led the Aggies to back-to-back bowl games and winning records in his final two seasons in Cache Valley.  USU’s last bowl appearance before Andersen arrived was 1997.   The 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s were, for the most part, dark years for Utah State.  Andersen will be remembered as the head coach who brought the program back to respectability.

Badger of Honor Reaction:

Good for Gary Andersen.  He always seemed like a nice guy but wasn’t quite the right fit in Madison.  Leaving for the Oregon State is still a puzzling choice.  He did go 19-7 in two seasons with Wisconsin so it’s not like he hurt the program in anyway.  Perhaps smaller cities and smaller programs are more his niche.