Season Preview The Aggies Coaching Staff Opponents Season Review Records University WAC 2012 Utah State Football BELIEVE IT. 79
HEAD COACH GARY ANDERSEN WAC University Records Season Review Opponents Coaching Staff The Aggies Season Preview 80 Gary Andersen was named Utah State s 26th head coach on Dec. 4, 2008, and since that day Andersen and his staff have worked non-stop to create a culture of accountability and responsibility that would translate into success both on and off the field. And in 2011, Aggie fans saw that plan pay dividends as USU produced a 7-6 record (5-2 Western Athletic Conference) and participated in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, the school s first bowl game since 1997. In his first three years at Utah State, Andersen has compiled a 15-22 (.407) record including a 10-13 (.435) WAC mark as those 15 wins are the most by an Aggie coach in his first three years since John L. Smith went 16-18 (.471) from 1995-97. Furthermore, Andersen has coached 10 players who have earned first or second team all-wac honors and six players who are currently on NFL rosters, including Michael Smith, Robert Turbin and Bobby Wagner who were all selected in the 2012 NFL Draft. That trio of Aggies drafted in 2012 is the most selections in one year since five USU players were chosen in 1980. Wagner, who was drafted in the second round (47) by the Seattle Seahawks, becomes the Gary Andersen Utah, 1986 Fourth Year at Utah State Fifth Year as a Collegiate Head Coach highest drafted Aggie since Rulon Jones was the 42nd overall pick in the second round in 1980 by the Denver Broncos. Along with playing in its first bowl game in over a decade during the 2011 season, Utah State s seven overall wins and five league victories were its most since 1993, while its second-place conference finish was its best since the 2000 team ended the year second in the Big West. Furthermore, those five league wins in 2011 were tied with five other teams (1953, 1960, 1990, 1991, 1993) for the most in school history, while its seven overall wins are tied for the 10th most all-time at Utah State. Utah State also won its final five games of the regular season in 2011, which is tied for the eighth-longest winning streak in school history and the longest since the 1993 squad won its final six games of the year. USU s three-win turnaround from four wins in 2010 to seven wins in 2011 was among the top 15 in the Football Bowl Subdivision for the year. During the 2011 season, Andersen s highoctane spread offense was statistically one of the best in the country as it led the WAC and ranked sixth in the nation in rushing offense (282.69 ypg). USU also ranked first in the WAC and 18th in the nation in passing efficiency (151.8), first in the WAC and 23rd in the nation in scoring offense (33.62 ppg), second in the WAC and 20th in the nation in total offense (457.31 ypg), and second in the WAC and 33rd in the nation in fewest sacks allowed per game (1.38 pg). The Andersen Family (L-R): Hagen, Stacey, Gary, Keegan, Chasen In 2011, Utah State also established school records for total offense (5,945 yards), rushing yards (3,675), total points (437) and total touchdowns (60). Highlighting Utah State s offense in 2011 was junior running back Robert Turbin who ended the season as the WAC s Offensive Player of the Year, USU s first in its six years in the league, and just its second such offensive award in school history. During the season, Turbin ranked first in the WAC and eighth in the nation in scoring (10.62 ppg), second in the WAC and 13th in the nation in rushing (116.69 ypg), and sixth in the WAC and 40th in the nation in all-purpose yardage (129.85 ypg). He ended the year setting single-season school records for rushing touchdowns (19), total touchdowns (23) and points scored (138), while his 1,517 rushing yards rank third all-time at USU for a singleseason. Turbin, who was drafted in the fourth round (106) of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks, ended his Aggie career ranking first in both total touchdowns (51) and points scored (308), while his 3,315 career rushing yards ranks fifth all-time in school history. Andersen s defense was also formidable during the 2011 season as it ended the year ranking first in the WAC and 50th in the nation in total defense (366.23), second in the WAC and 31st in the nation in rushing defense (127.70 ypg), second in the WAC and 53rd nationally in tackles for loss (5.92 pg), third in the WAC and 48th in the nation in pass efficiency defense (125.58), and third in the WAC and 59th in the nation in sacks (1.92 pg). Utah State s top defensive player in 2011 was Wagner who earned first-team all-wac
HEAD COACH GARY ANDERSEN honors after ranking first in the league and eighth nationally with 11.31 tackles per game. Wagner, who is one of just eight players in school history to be a three-time firstteam all-conference selection, ended his career with 446 career tackles to rank first all-time in WAC and tied for first all-time in school history. Along with all of his Utah State accolades, Wagner also received some national exposure after being named the Most Valuable Player of the 2012 Senior Bowl, leading the North to a 23-13 win. Smith was also recognized for his performance in the Players Classic All-Star Game as he was named the North s Offensive MVP. Other Aggies to earn first-team all-wac honors under Andersen s tutelage include offensive linemen Philip Gapelu (2011) and Tyler Larsen (2011), while those who have been named to the league s second-team include defensive end Levi Koskan (2011), tight end Tarren Lloyd (2011), defensive back Curtis Marsh (2010) and Turbin (2009). Under Andersen s leadership in 2010, Utah State gained possession of the historic Beehive Boot trophy (the symbol of gridiron supremacy in the state of Utah) with a 31-16 win against BYU in front of a national ESPN audience, its first victory against the Cougars since 1993. USU s win against BYU also earned the Aggies possession of the Old Wagon Wheel (the traveling trophy between USU and BYU) for the first time since 1993, and marked only the sixth time ever that Utah State has had both the Beehive Boot and ANDERSEN S FILE Date Hired December 4, 2008 Coaching Experience 2009- Utah State -- Head Coach 2005-08 Utah -- Defensive Coordinator/Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Line 2004 Utah -- Defensive Line 2003 Southern Utah -- Head Coach 2002 Utah -- Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line 2001 Utah -- Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Tackles/Strong Side Ends/Special Teams Coordinator 1997-2000 Utah -- Defensive Tackles/Strong Side Ends 1995-96 Northern Arizona -- Assistant Head Coach/Def. Line/Special Teams 1994-95 Park City HS (Utah) -- Head Coach 1992-94 Idaho State -- Defensive Line 1989-92 Ricks College (BYU-Idaho) -- Offensive Line 1988 Southeastern Louisiana -- Assistant Head Coach Playing Experience 1985-86 Utah -- Center 1983-84 Ricks College -- Center Education 1986 Utah -- Political Science (B.S.) Personal Born Feb. 19, 1964 in Salt Lake City Married to the former Stacey Lambert Sons Keegan (21), Chasen (17), Hagen (17) the Old Wagon Wheel in its possession at the same time. Utah State s top NFL draft pick in 2011 was Marsh who was selected in the third round (90) by the Philadelphia Eagles. As a collegiate senior in 2010, Marsh ranked second in the WAC and sixth in the country in passes defended with 1.25 per game with 13 pass break-ups and two interceptions. Marsh ended his collegiate career playing in the Senior Bowl. In Andersen s first year at Utah State in 2009, he mentored an Aggie offense that amassed a then school-record 5,272 yards of total offense. Quarterback Diondre Borel also set single-season school records for total offense in 2009 with 3,343 yards, along with the school record for fewest interceptions thrown with four. Along with all of Utah State s success on the field under Andersen, there has been just as much success in the classroom as 66 Aggies have earned academic all-wac honors, while another 84 have graduated from the University. Furthermore, Utah State had 18 football players earn academic all-wac honorees this past year to rank first in the conference. It s a great opportunity and it s been a longtime goal of mine to be a Division I head football coach. I think every football coach has a niche as to where they want be a head coach and where they belong. I feel that Utah State is a perfect fit for my niche and what I believe in, Andersen said upon his hiring. Season Preview The Aggies Coaching Staff Opponents Season Review Records University WAC 81
HEAD COACH GARY ANDERSEN AGGIE HONORS UNDER ANDERSEN ANDERSEN S BOWL EXPERIENCE (7-1) WAC University Records Season Review Opponents Coaching Staff The Aggies Season Preview Name Position Honor Diondre Borel QB Manning Award Watch List James Brindley S NFL Free Agent Peter Caldwell P Ray Guy Award Semi-Finalist Philip Gapelu OG First Team All-WAC Levi Koskan DE Second Team All-WAC Tyler Larsen OC First Team All-WAC Two-time Rimington Award Watch List Tarren Lloyd Second Team All-WAC Curtis Marsh CB Second Team All-WAC NFL Combine Invitee NFL Draft Pick Eric Moats WR Wuerffel Trophy Candidate Michael Smith RB Famous Idaho Potato Bowl MVP Players All-Star Classic MVP NFL Draft Pick Robert Turbin RB WAC Offensive Player of the Year Two-Time All-WAC Honoree NFL Combine Invitee NFL Draft Pick Bobby Wagner LB Three-Time First Team All-WAC Butkus Award Watch List Senior Bowl MVP NFL Combine Invitee NFL Draft Pick Kerwynn Williams KR/RB NCAA Kick Return Record Holder Hornung Award Watch List Utah State Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Beehive Boot Old Wagon Wheel Utah State fits everything from a recruiting standpoint, to the studentathletes that we ll be dealing with on a daily basis as well as from a wellrounded academic viewpoint. At the end of the day, the best way to sum that up is when you re a head football coach, you need to look at what you need to do to be successful, Andersen added. Without a doubt, Utah State has all the tools needed to recruit quality student-athletes socially, academically and athletically. These tools will allow us to build a successful program and continue the success that Utah State provides not just for football but for life for our players, as well as my staff, my family and myself. Andersen came to Utah State after five seasons as the assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Utah, where he helped guide the Utes to a 13-0 record in 2008. Utah finished the season ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press poll after winning the BCS Sugar Bowl with a dominating 31-17 victory against Alabama. In 2008, Andersen was named a finalist for the Broyles Award, honoring the top assistant coach in college football. He was also named a Rivals. com top 10 non-bcs recruiter in 2008 and tabbed as the No. 1 non-bcs recruiter by Rivals.com in 2005. Overall, Andersen spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach at Utah after coaching for the Utes from 1997-2002 before becoming the head coach at Southern Utah in 2003 and then returning to Utah in 2004. During his tenure at Utah, Andersen was a part of seven winning bowl teams, including two BCS Bowls as Utah went 12-0 in 2004 and won the Fiesta Bowl, along with its perfect record and Sugar Bowl win in 2008. During his tenure at Utah, Andersen coached 14 first-team all-conference players (three in 2008), including two Mountain West Conference Defensive Players of the Year in John Frank (1999) and Eric Weddle (2005 and 2006), as well as a consensus All-American in Weddle in 2006. Andersen also coached 10 Ute players drafted in the NFL in Richard Seals, John Frank, Lauvale Sape, Sione Pouha, Jonathan Fanene, Eric Weddle, Paul Soliai, Sean Smith, Brice McCain and Paul Kruger, in addition to several other players who made NFL rosters as free agents. Andersen s coaching career began in 1988 as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana, where he coached for one season before going to Ricks College (now BYU- Idaho) from 1989-92 as the offensive line coach. His other coaching stints include Idaho State (1992-94, defensive line), Park City HS (1994-95, head coach) and Northern Arizona (1995-96, assistant head coach/defensive line/special teams). 1999 - Las Vegas Bowl - Utah vs. Fresno State - W, 17-16 2001- Las Vegas Bowl - Utah vs. USC - W, 10-6 2004 (2005) - Fiesta Bowl - Utah vs. Pittsburgh - W, 35-7 2005 - Emerald Bowl - Utah vs. Georgia Tech - W, 38-10 2006 - Armed Forces Bowl - Utah vs. Tulsa - W, 25-13 2007 - Poinsettia Bowl - Utah vs. Navy - W, 35-32 2008 (2009) - Sugar Bowl - Utah vs. No. 4 Alabama - W, 31-17 2011 - Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Utah State vs. Ohio - L, 23-24 A 1986 graduate of Utah, Andersen earned his bachelor s degree in political science. He played center for Utah from 1985-86 after garnering first-team junior college All-American honors in 1984 at Ricks College. Andersen is married to the former Stacey Lambert, and they have three sons: Keegan (21) and twins Chasen and Hagen (17). Keegan is currently a sophomore tight end on Utah State s football team, while Chasen and Hagen are both seniors at Logan High School. Andersen s brother, Mark, is USU s director of football operations. 82
HEAD COACH GARY ANDERSEN ANDERSEN TIDBITS What THEY RE Saying ABOUT GARY ANDERSEN... Andersen was named Utah State s head football coach on Dec. 4, 2008, becoming the 26th head coach in 115 years of Aggie football. Andersen has coached a total of 25 players on NFL rosters, including Bobby Wagner (2nd/47th), Robert Turbin (4th/106th) and Michael Smith (7th/212th) who were all selected in the 2012 Draft, while Curtis Marsh (3rd/90th) was drafted in 2011. Andersen has coached 18 first-team allconference players, including three-time first-team all-wac linebacker Bobby Wagner. Other USU notable players coached by Andersen include first-team all-wac running back Robert Turbin who was also named the WAC s Offensive Player of the Year in 2011, first-team all-wac offensive lineman Philip Gapelu and first-team all-wac center Tyler Larsen. In 2011, Andersen led Utah State to its first bowl game, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, since the 1997 season. Furthermore, USU s seven overall wins and five league wins in 2011 were its most since 1993, while its second-place conference finish was its best since 2000. Utah State s five league wins in 2011 were tied with five other Aggie teams (1953, 1960, 1990, 1991, 1993) for the most in school history. Utah State won its final five games of the regular season in 2011, which is tied for the eighth-longest winning streak in school history and the longest since the 1993 squad won its final six games of the year. Utah State s three-win turnaround from four wins in 2010 to seven wins in 2011 was among the top 15 in the Football Bowl Subdivision for the year. Under Andersen, Utah State has had 66 players earn academic all-wac honors, including a league-leading 18 during the 2011-12 academic year. Under Andersen, Utah State has graduated 84 players, including 26 who graduated during the 2011-12 academic year. At Utah, Andersen coach two players who earned Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors three times in John Frank (1999) and Eric Weddle (2005, 2006). Weddle was also a consensus first-team All-America in 2006, while Morgan Scalley earned second-team All-American honors in 2004. Andersen was a part of two Utah teams that went 2-0 in BCS action, finishing No. 2 in the 2008 AP Poll and No. 4 in 2004. ROBERT TURBIN, Seattle Seahawks 2011 WAC Offensive Player of the Year Coach Andersen has been an amazing coach personally for me during the three years I was with him, but off the field he was just as involved as he was on, with team activities which helped build our camaraderie as a team. He s been a great teacher and has been much involved with my path to the next level. BOBBY WAGNER, Seattle Seahawks 2009, 2010, 2011 First-Team All-WAC Coach Andersen is a great coach. He was a big asset to me in helping me through the whole process of getting drafted and everything that goes with it. He helped me have a better understanding of the game and my position. Off the field, he helped me stay focused in school and made me see the importance of graduating. KOA MISI, Miami Dolphins 2009 First-Team All-MWC When you are looking at colleges, you are also looking at coaches. A good coach is someone that is not only looking out for you as a player but a person too. Coach Andersen was that guy for me. I knew from the first time I met him in the meeting room that he was my guy. He is a coach that will give it to you how it really is and be direct and to the point about it. He is by far the best coach I have had the privilege to play under. He basically taught me most of what I know now. I swear sometimes he would lose his voice yelling at me on the practice field, but I knew it was just to make me a better player and I liked that about him. He is a coach you can go to for anything, one you can count on. To tell you the truth, he was like a second father to me when I was in college and if that doesn t say enough I don t know what will. He is a guy that stuck behind his word when I was getting recruited and I appreciate everything that he did for me. If there was a coach to get the coach of the year award every year he would definitely have my vote. I love that guy! ERIC WEDDLE, San Diego Chargers 2006 Consensus All-American; 2005 & 2006 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year He s one of the best coaches I ve ever been around. He s an intense, passionate coach. He cares not only for the player inside the program but when they re outside the world of football as well. I look up to him immensely and wouldn t have gotten as far as I have without his coaching and his guidance. Utah State made a great hire in making him their head coach. He s a great motivator, he s passionate and he loves coaching kids. I look for bright things from him in making Utah State a winning program. STEVENSON SYLVESTER, Pittsburgh Steelers 2008 Second-Team All-MWC I feel like I wouldn t be where I am today if it weren t for Coach Andersen. His willingness to take a chance on me when no one else would made my career. He is the ultimate coach. He is very personable and his unparalleled ability to connect with his players is what sets him apart from any other coach. His winning attitude rubs off onto all of his players, and it brings the best out of each and every one of them. Not only did he teach me to better understand the game of football, but he also played a major role in my development as a young man. I am very thankful to have been coached by Coach Andersen, and fortunate to know him at all. I wish him much success in all that he does. PAUL KRUGER, Baltimore Ravens 2008 All-American & First-Team All-MWC If it were not for Gary Andersen I don t believe I would be in the position I m in today, he changed the way I played the game. More than a outstanding coach, he is a great example of how to take care of business on and off the field. Season Preview The Aggies Coaching Staff Opponents Season Review Records University WAC 83
WAC University Records Season Review Opponents Coaching Staff The Aggies Season Preview Dave Aranda Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Line California Lutheran, 1999 - First Year at Utah State Entering his first year as Utah State s defensive coordinator and defensive line coach is Dave Aranda (pronounced a-ran-da) who officially joined the staff in January, 2012. I m very excited for the opportunity to be able to coach with Coach Andersen and his staff. I have a great deal of respect for Utah State football. They play a hard, physical style of football, and I believe it is an upand-coming program and I m proud and very happy to be a part of it. I want to do whatever it takes to get us to the next level, Aranda said. Aranda comes to Utah State after four years at Hawai`i, the last two spent as the Warriors defensive coordinator after coaching UH s defensive line his first two years. During the 2011 season at Hawai`i, Aranda s defense led the Western Athletic Conference and was tied for 15th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in sacks with 35 (2.7 pg), led by linebacker Art Laurel who ranked third in the WAC and tied for 24th in the nation with nine sacks. We were looking for a talented coach with defensive coordinator experience and we have found that with Dave Aranda. He was mentored by former Hawai`i head coach Greg McMackin who has an excellent track record defensively. Dave s defenses speak for themselves with the numbers and talented players they have. Last season alone, three seniors from Aranda s defense were invited to various senior all-star games. Coach Aranda s defenses are fundamentally sound and are excellent technicians. His defenses consistently play hard and at an extremely high-level, USU head coach Gary Andersen said. We are excited to have him and his family be a part of our Aggie football family. At Hawai`i, Aranda also coached two-time all-wac honoree Corey Paredes and 2011 all-wac linebacker Aaron Brown, who was drafted in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. In 2010, Paredes had the second-highest single-season tackles total in school history with 151 stops. Aranda also coached defensive lineman David Veikune, an NFL second-round draft pick. In 2010, Aranda s Hawai`i defense led the nation in turnovers caused (38), while ranking second in the nation in interceptions (23) and ninth in fumbles recovered (15), as well as tying the school record for most defensive touchdowns with five. The dynamic of the WAC has changed, but the fact that he is familiar with the conference and he understands the level and quality of play within the WAC is a very valuable resource. He knows the types of players to recruit to play in this conference which is a big advantage for us and puts us even more so on the same page, Andersen added. Aranda takes over the reins of a Utah State defense that led the WAC and ranked 50th in FBS in total defense (366.2 ypg) in 2011. USU also ranked second in the league and 31st in the nation in rushing defense (127.8 ypg) last season, as well as third in the conference and 76th in the country in passing defense (238.5 ypg). I think there is a lot of experience here with the defensive staff and that was a big plus when looking at this job. I can bring some different ideas that will mesh with the ideas that are here. I think there will be a lot of different hand writing up on the white board with ideas from everyone, which is a very good thing, Aranda said. Prior to being defensive coordinator at Hawai`i, Aranda, a native of Redlands, Calif., coached the UH defensive line, helping put together game plans throughout the season, including the Warriors 24-17 win over Navy, in which Hawai`i held the Midshipmen s vaunted rushing attack to 248 yards and scoreless in the second half. In 2008, Aranda coached a unit that included David Veikune, Joshua Leonard, and all-wac second-team pick Keala Watson. Veikune was taken in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns with the 52nd overall pick, while Leonard signed as a free agent with the Houston Texans. I think our schemes fit well with each other as far as where we have been in the past and what we have done defensively. He is extremely organized and a quality leader. Anytime you look for a new coach, the number one priority is to put the kids first and Dave does a tremendous job of that, Andersen said. Spending four years in Hawaii, he has developed lots a ties that will be a great asset to us in continuing to recruit in Hawaii and recruit Polynesian kids. He has a tremendous track record as a great recruiter. Prior to Hawai`i, Aranda coached at Delta State University in 2007, where he served as co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach. Following the season, he signed on to become Southern Utah s defensive coordinator for new head coach Ed Lamb and was on the job for one month before head coach Greg McMackin called and asked Aranda to join the Hawai`i staff. In one year at Delta State, Aranda helped the school win the Gulf South Conference and lead the The Aranda Family (L-R): Jordyn, Dione, Ronin, Dave, Jaelyn 84
NCAA Division II in pass efficiency defense, ranking second in total and scoring defense, and third in run defense. Before Delta State, Aranda spent two years as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at his alma mater, California Lutheran, where the Kingsmen led the conference in scoring defense and total defense. It was his second go-around with California Lutheran after serving as an assistant from 1996-99, while finishing his degree. From 2002-03, Aranda was the linebackers coach at the University of Houston. Prior to that, he was a graduate assistant at Texas Tech and was mentored by then-defensive coordinator McMackin. The Red Raiders competed in three bowls during his tenure (2000 GalleryFurniture.com Bowl, 2001 Alamo Bowl and 2002 Tangerine Bowl). At TTU, Aranda coached Aaron Hunt, who finished as the Big 12 s all-time sack leader. After he graduated from Redlands High School in 1994, numerous surgeries followed and ended his playing career. In 1995, he started his coaching resume at Redlands as an assistant coach. Aranda graduated from California Lutheran in 1999 with a bachelor s degree in philosophy. In 2002, he earned his master s degree in interdisciplinary studies at Texas Tech. Aranda and his wife, Dione, have two daughters, Jaelyn (7) and Jordyn (5), and a son, Ronin (3). ARANDA S FILE Coaching Experience 2012- Utah State -- Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line 2010-11 Hawai`i -- Defensive Coordinator 2008-09 Hawai`i -- Defensive Line 2007 Delta State -- Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs 2005-06 California Lutheran -- Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers 2002-03 Houston -- Linebackers 2000-01 Texas Tech -- Graduate Assistant 1996-99 California Lutheran -- Student Assistant 1995 Redlands (Calif.) HS -- Assistant Education 1999 California Lutheran -- Philosophy (B.S.) 2002 Texas Tech -- Interdisciplinary Studies (M.S.) Season Preview The Aggies Coaching Staff Opponents Season Review Records University WAC Personal Born Sept. 29, 1976 in Bakersfield, Calif. Married to the former Dione Vieth Daughters Jaelyn (7) and Jordyn (5), Son Ronin (3) 85
BILL BUSCH Associate Head Coach / Special Teams Coordinator / Safeties Nebraska Wesleyan, 1988 - Fourth Year at Utah State WAC University Records Season Review Opponents Coaching Staff The Aggies Season Preview Bill Busch is entering his fourth season on the Utah State staff, and his second as associate head coach and special teams coordinator, as well as coaching the USU safeties. Busch spent his first two seasons at Utah State as the defensive coordinator. As special teams coordinator in 2011, Busch s punt unit ranked fourth in the WAC and 29th in the NCAA FBS with a net average of 38.20 yards per punt. USU s kickoff return unit was also among the national leaders in 2011 under Busch, ranking third in the WAC and 39th in the FBS with an average of 22.80 yards per return. As special teams coordinator, Busch mentored Tyler Bennett who ranked third in the WAC and 16th in the NCAA FBS in punting at 43.83 yards per punt. As a team, Utah State s net punting average improved 49 spots in the NCAA FBS rankings from 2010, ranking No. 29 in 2011 with a 38.20 net average after ranking No. 78 in 2010 with a net average of 35.49. In his third year coaching USU s safeties in 2011, Busch helped the Aggie defense rank first in the WAC and 50th in the NCAA FBS in total defense (366.23 ypg), second in the WAC and 31st in FBS in rushing defense (127.7 ypg), second in the WAC and 53rd in FBS in tackles for loss (5.92 pg), third in the WAC and 48th in the FBS in pass efficiency defense (125.58), third in the WAC and 59th in FBS in sacks (1.92 pg), third in the WAC and 68th in FBS in scoring defense (33.62 ppg) and third in the WAC and 76th in FBS in passing defense (238.46 ypg). As defensive coordinator and safeties coach in 2010, Busch coached first-team all- WAC linebacker Bobby Wagner, who led the league and ranked eighth in the NCAA FBS with 11.1 tackles per game, earning first-team all-wac honors for the second-straight season. Wagner s 133 tackles as a junior not only led the team, but were the most by an Aggie since 2002. Busch also coached second-team allleague cornerback Curtis Marsh, who ranked second in the WAC and sixth in FBS in passes defended with 1.25 per game with 15 total on 13 pass break-ups and two interceptions. Marsh was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 26th pick of the third round, the 90th overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, while Wagner was drafted in the second round with the 47th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Other defensive highlights from 2010 include USU ranking fourth in the WAC in pass defense efficiency (128.42). Highlights from the 2009 Busch-led Aggie defense included first-team all-wac linebacker Bobby Wagner, who led the WAC and ranked tied for 22nd in FBS in tackles with 115, a 9.6 per game average. Wagner also led the league in WAC only games with 71 stops (8.9 pg). Wagner s 115 tackles ranked as the second-most by a USU sophomore, behind the record of 138 in 1996 by Johndale Carty. Wagner was the first sophomore to lead the Aggies in tackles since 1994. Busch also coached safety James Brindley in 2010, who signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Brindley was eighth in the WAC overall in tackles with 7.8 per game, ranking third among defensive backs. Additionally, Brindley ranked third overall in passes defended with nine on six pass break-ups and three interceptions. Brindley was the top ranked defensive back in the WAC for combined tackles and passes defended. For his career, Brindley ranked 12th on USU s career interceptions list with nine, but is second on the Aggie career list for interception return yardage with 210. The 2009 Busch-led USU defense had three games of forcing three turnovers, with a season-best of holding San Jose State to 56 yards rushing and New Mexico State to 81 yards passing. Busch s most recent coaching job before Utah State was at Nebraska from 2005-07, where he was an assistant safeties coach and special teams coordinator. Busch coached with current Utah State head coach Gary Andersen at both Northern Arizona and Utah. He and Andersen were at NAU together from 1995 to 1996, with Busch serving as secondary coach in 1995 and codefensive coordinator and secondary coach in 1996, while Andersen was assistant head coach and defensive line as well as special teams coach. The excitement for me is two-fold. For one, coaching at such a great university like Utah State is exciting due to the fact of the tremendous commitment that the administration has made to football. Secondly, getting the chance to work with Gary Andersen is so exciting. He s obviously a great friend but also for the opportunity to work with him again are major reasons why I couldn t wait to get back into coaching, Busch said when hired. After Busch s four-year stint as secondary coach at New Mexico State from 1997-2000, Busch and Andersen joined up again at Utah in 2001 when Busch was safeties coach until taking over the entire secondary in 2003. He then went to Nebraska in 2004 where he 86
coached outside linebackers and was the special teams coordinator, before moving to safeties in 2005 while remaining special teams coordinator until 2007. Coach Andersen and I have worked together at two different programs at Northern Arizona and Utah, so we have a great feel for each other. I know exactly what he wants from me and vice versa, and what we can do for each other with what exactly our schematic plan is, Busch added. I m thrilled to work in a program with the great potential that Utah State has and in a great conference like the WAC. In his year away from full-time coaching, Busch worked with some NFL and college teams in addition to spending time with his family in Nebraska, but he was excited about the chance to return to college football and the state of Utah. In this profession, everything is short-lived and you re back and going again, so it was nice to do some things outside of football, but I was excited to get back into coaching and return to Utah. I love the state of Utah and am excited about being a part of the Logan community. This is a terrific community and is very supportive of the Utah State football program, Busch said when hired. While at Nebraska, Busch s safeties were consistently among the team s top athletes. In 2006, Husker safeties recorded six of Nebraska s 12 interceptions. The 2005 Nebraska defense toted a No. 10 national pass efficiency defense ranking and the No. 2 ranking in the Big 12 Conference. The Huskers held six opponents to less than 200 yards passing and nine to one or fewer passing touchdowns in 2005. Busch had two players selected in the NFL Draft as Josh Bullock was selected by the New Orleans Saints in 2005 and his twin brother Daniel was chosen in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions in the second round. Ironically, each Bullock brother was taken with the 40th pick. Busch s coaching talents also paid dividends for the Huskers on special teams. During his time there, the Huskers blocked 16 kicks, including seven in 2005. NU s special teams recorded two important plays in the final minutes of a contest - a 40-yard field goal to beat Kansas State and a block of a Pitt field-goal attempt - that proved to be game winners. Nebraska ranked in the top 25 nationally in net punting (24th in 2006) and punt returns (17th in 2005) under Busch as well. NU s kickoff coverage unit ranked 15th nationally in 2006 after finishing 22nd the previous year. Busch is a Pender, Neb., native and earned his bachelor s degree in education from Nebraska Wesleyan in 1988 and added a master s degree from Nebraska-Kearney in 1990. Busch began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Nebraska-Kearney in 1989, after playing wide receiver at Nebraska Wesleyan from 1985 to 1987. Busch was a graduate assistant at Nebraska from 1990 to 1993, assisting with the defensive backs. Among the defensive backs Busch worked with at Nebraska were all-league performers Tyrone Byrd, Barron Miles, Tyrone Williams and Mike Minter. BUSCH S FILE Coaching Experience 2009- Utah State -- Defensive Coordinator/Special Teams Coordinator/Safeties 2004-07 Nebraska -- Special Teams Coordinator/Safeties 2003 Utah -- Secondary Coach 2001-02 Utah -- Safeties 1997-2000 New Mexico State -- Secondary Coach 1996 Northern Arizona -- Co-Defensive Coordinator/Secondary 1995 Northern Arizona -- Secondary Playing Experience 1985-87 Nebraska-Kearney -- Wide Receiver Education 1988 Nebraska Wesleyan -- Education (B.S.) 1990 Nebraska-Kearney -- Education (M.Ed.) Season Preview The Aggies Coaching Staff Opponents Season Review Records University WAC Personal Born April 27, 1965 in O Neill, Neb. 87
MIKE SANFORD Assistant Head Coach / Running Backs / Tight Ends Southern California, 1978 - First Year at Utah State WAC University Records Season Review Opponents Coaching Staff The Aggies Season Preview Mike Sanford is entering his first season as Utah State s assistant head coach after officially joining the staff in March, 2012. At USU, Sanford will coach the Aggies running backs and tight ends. Sanford and Andersen will be reuniting after being together on the University of Utah staff in 2004, when Andersen was the Utes defensive line coach and Sanford was offensive coordinator and running backs coach. I m extremely honored and excited to be a part of Utah State football. I believe that Utah State is one of the top programs on the rise in the country, especially the western United States. Last season was definitely a strong indicator of that. I have tremendous respect for Gary Andersen and to be a part of his staff is a great privilege, and I m thrilled to be coaching with him again. I had the opportunity to be on the same staff as him while at Utah and coaching against him when I was at UNLV, and I have a lot of respect and admiration for him as a football coach. It is a great honor to be a part of not only his staff but a part of Utah State Aggie football, Sanford said when hired. Sanford comes to Utah State after two seasons at Louisville, where as offensive coordinator and tight ends coach he helped improve the Cardinals offensive passing, improving from nine touchdown passes in 2009 to 20 in 2010. Louisville scored 23 or more points in nine games, including 56 in a win against Memphis. Sanford also mentored Louisville tight end Cameron Graham to earn first-team all-big East Conference accolades after catching 40 passes for 470 yards and five touchdowns. Prior to Louisville, Sanford was head coach at UNLV from 2005-09, where he took over a program that was coming off four consecutive losing seasons. His five seasons at UNLV tied for the third-longest coaching stint in Rebel football history. The Sanford-led Rebels made national headlines in 2008 with an upset win at No. 13 Arizona State. Under Sanford, UNLV s offense set several school records in 2008, highlighted by tying for the top redzone scoring offense percentage (.950) in the nation, matching Ohio State. UNLV s offense was also 15th in the nation in sacks allowed (1.2 pg). While at UNLV, Sanford faced Utah State three times, losing, 31-24 in 2005, before bouncing back with a 23-16 win in 2007 and a 27-17 victory in 2008. During his time at UNLV, Sanford coached 29 all-mountain West Conference honorees, including 2007 MWC Defensive Player of the Year Beau Bell, and 2006 MWC Freshman of the Year Ryan Wolfe, who went on to earn three first-team selections. In Sanford s offense, Casey Flair set a school record and tied a MWC record with 47 consecutive games with a reception. Sanford took over the UNLV program after two years at Utah as offensive coordinator and was part of the Utes 21-2 overall and 13-1 Mountain West two-year stretch, including a 12-0 overall and 7-0 league mark and victory in the 2004 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. After finishing last in the Mountain West in scoring offense the season before Sanford s arrival, he led Utah to the No. 3 ranking in the nation at 43.3 points per game, third in total offense (499.8 ypg), third in passing efficiency (173.41) and boasted Heisman Trophy finalist Alex Smith, who went on to become the top pick in the 2005 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Smith was second in the NCAA in passing efficiency (176.52) and fifth in total offense (298.6 ypg). Before Utah, Sanford was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Stanford in 2002, returning to the college ranks after three seasons in the NFL as wide receivers coach with the San Diego Chargers from 1999-2001. Sanford s NCAA Division I coaching experience includes stints at Notre Dame, USC, Purdue, Long Beach State, Virginia Military Institute and Army. As an assistant coach, Sanford has participated in 11 bowl games with four programs. As the wide receivers coach at USC from 1989-96, Sanford assisted in two Pac-10 championships and two Rose Bowl victories (vs. Michigan in 1990 and Northwestern in 1996). Three of his Trojan receivers were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft: Curtis Conway in 1992, Johnnie Morton in 1993 and Keyshawn Johnson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft and a consensus All-American in 1995. Sanford began his coaching career at Southern California in 1977, as a graduate assistant, before earning his bachelor s degree from USC in 1978. Later that year, Sanford started his first full-time coaching position as the defensive coordinator at San Diego City College. When hiring an assistant coach, you always want to find someone who puts the student-athletes first and is the best coach out there, and Coach Sanford definitely fits both of those. I am extremely familiar with his 88
coaching style and philosophies from coaching with him as well as coaching against him throughout the years. He brings a wealth of coaching knowledge and experience to our program having been at every level from the small college, all the way through to the NFL. He is a great addition to our staff and we re excited to have him join our Aggie football family, USU head coach Gary Andersen said. As a player, Sanford was a reserve quarterback for USC s 1973 and 1974 Rose Bowl teams (the 1974 team beat Ohio State for the national championship). He played free safety in 1976 when USC beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl and finished second in the nation. Sanford and his wife, Melinda, have two grown children, daughter, Lindsay, and son, Mike, Jr., who is currently the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Stanford. SANFORD S FILE Coaching Experience 2012- Utah State -- Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs/Tight Ends 2010-11 Louisville -- Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends 2005-09 UNLV -- Head Coach 2003-04 Utah -- Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs 2002 Stanford -- Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks 1999-01 San Diego (NFL) -- Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator 1997-98 Notre Dame -- Quarterbacks 1989-96 USC -- Wide Receivers 1987-88 Purdue -- Quarterbacks 1985-86 Long Beach State -- Offensive Coordinator 1983-84 Long Beach State -- Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers 1981-82 Virginia Military Institute -- Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers/Tight Ends 1979-80 Army -- Wide Receivers/Tight Ends 1978 San Diego City College -- Defensive Coordinator 1977 USC -- Graduate Assistant Playing Experience 1973-76 USC -- Quarterback/Safety Education 1978 Southern California -- Physical Education (B.S.) Season Preview The Aggies Coaching Staff Opponents Season Review Records University WAC Personal Born April 20, 1955 in Los Altos, Calif. Married to the former Melinda Sorensen Daughter Lindsay, Son Mike 89
WAC University Records Season Review Opponents Coaching Staff The Aggies Season Preview 90 Entering his second season at Utah State, and first as offensive coordinator, is Matt Wells who returned to his alma mater in January, 2011 following a standout career as an Aggie quarterback. Along with his coordinator responsibilities, Wells will also coach USU s quarterbacks for the second-straight season. Matt is very prepared for this position, and he s youthful. While he s 38-years old, he has a lot of coaching experience, he s a first-time coordinator, but he s well-prepared to take the next step, USU head coach Gary Andersen said. He has a great staff surrounding him with T.J. Woods, Jovon Bouknight and Mike Sanford. They all work extremely well together. It will definitely be a group effort, but Matt has a lot of experience. He has been in several different programs, so he has a lot to pull from to be a great coordinator and is excited for the opportunity. I believe that he is well-prepared for the position. If I ever have the opportunity to promote from within, whether it is a coordinator or assistant coach position, I will always look within first, and this is a perfect fit for our philosophy. Wells is a 1996 Utah State alum and was a three-year letterman at quarterback for the Aggies. I m very excited and humbled for this opportunity that Coach Andersen has given me to lead the Utah State offense, Wells said. We will continue to emphasize the physicality and importance of the run game that we have established, and will place greater emphasis on the vertical passing game and taking shots down field. We want to be a dynamic offense that is up-tempo and aggressive in all areas that is exciting to watch and for our players to play in. During his first year at Utah State, Wells mentored a pair of successful Aggie quarterbacks in freshman Chuckie Keeton and junior Adam Kennedy. Keeton, who is the first-ever freshman to start a season-opener for Utah State, completed 60.9 percent of his passes (106-174) for 1,200 yards (133.3 ypg) and 11 touchdowns with just two interceptions in eightplus games. The freshman signal-caller also finished fourth on the team in rushing with 293 yards on 68 carries (4.3 ypc) with four touchdowns. Keeton finished the year ranking fourth in the WAC and 46th in the NCAA FBS with a passing efficiency rating of 137.41. MATT WELLS Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Utah State, 1996 - Second Year at Utah State In his first-ever start, Keeton was named Rivals.com National Freshman of the Week as he was 21-of-30 passing for 213 yards, to go along with 33 rushing yards and two touchdowns in Utah State s 42-38 loss at No. 19 Auburn. Four games later, Keeton was named an honorable mention national Quarterback of the Week by CollegeFootballPerformance.com and the WAC s Player of the Week as he threw for 228 yards on 15- of-20 passing and a school-record tying five touchdowns in the Aggies dominating 63-19 home win against Wyoming. Kennedy, who started the final five games of the season filling in for an injured Keeton, led Utah State to five-straight wins to rank tied for the eighth-longest winning streak in Utah State history. Those five-straight victories also made Utah State bowl-eligible as it played in its first bowl game since 1997 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl During the season, Kennedy completed 69.1 percent of his passes (76-110) for 972 yards (121.5 ypg) with 11 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He was also fifth on the team in rushing with 239 yards on 55 carries (4.3 ypc). Kennedy would have led the conference and ranked fifth in the country in passing efficiency at 169.04 but did not meet the required minimum of 15 attempts per game. Under Wells guidance, Utah State s passing efficiency improved from 108th in FBS in 2010 to No. 18 in 2011 (151.89). The Aggies quarterbacks also improved in fewest interceptions thrown, tying for 70th in 2010 to being tied for third in 2011 with four and was the fewest in the nation of any bowl-eligible team. As the quarterbacks coach in 2011, Wells helped Utah State s offense established school records for total offense (5,945 yards), rushing yards (3,675), total points (437) and total touchdowns (60). A total of four offensive players earned first-team all-wac honors in 2011, including running back Robert Turbin, who collected the WAC Offensive Player of the Year award as well as first-team all-wac recognition. Offensive linemen Tyler Larsen and Philip Gapelu were also first-team all-wac honorees, while tight end Tarren Lloyd was a secondteam selection. Wells came to Utah State from the University of New Mexico, where he coached the wide receivers and kickoff return unit in 2010. In addition to coaching the Lobo wide receivers, Wells coordinated a kickoff return unit that finished 27th in the FBS with a 23.5 yards per return average. The kickoff return unit established six new school records, while tying one. Under Wells tutelage, his kickoff return units broke or tied 16 school records as well as breaking or tying four NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) records. In 2009, Wells was the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator at Louisville. In his one season at Louisville, Wells directed a passing game that amassed 2,507 yards and nine touchdowns. The Cardinals averaged 208.9 yards passing per game and was led by quarterback Adam Froman, who con- The Wells Family (L-R): Wyatt, Jen, Jadyn, Matt, Ella
nected on 111-of-185 passing with six touchdowns. Froman had at least one scoring toss in each of the last six games of the season. In 2007 and 2008, Wells was New Mexico s wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator, coaching alongside current Aggie offensive line coach T.J. Woods with the Lobos. In his first coaching stint at New Mexico, Wells coached the Lobo wide receivers, including a pair of first-team all-mountain West Conference receivers in Travis Brown and Marcus Smith in 2007. Smith led the MWC in receiving, setting a school record with 91 receptions for 1,125 yards and four touchdowns, while Brown tallied 76 catches for 1,031 yards with six scores. It was the first time in New Mexico history that two different receivers had 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. Smith was a fourth-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2008. Prior to New Mexico, Wells was tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at Tulsa from 2002-06. Wells was a part of three bowl trips for the Golden Hurricane in four seasons from 2003-06, including helping Tulsa to its first back-to-back bowls since 1964-65 by making repeat bowl trips in 2005 and 2006. In 2005, Wells mentored Tulsa tight end Garrett Mills, who established an NCAA single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end with 1,235 yards. Mills ended his Tulsa career ranked as the top receiving tight end in school history with 2,389 career yards, which also placed him sixth on the school s all-time receiving list. Wells also coached Caleb Blankenship at Tulsa, an honorable mention all-conference selection in 2003 and 2004. Under Wells guidance, Tulsa s tight ends caught the most passes in the nation in 2003 with 89 catches for 855 yards and 12 touchdowns, as well as combining for 83 receptions and 919 yards in 2004. Before his stint at Tulsa, Wells was an assistant coach at the U.S. Naval Academy from 1997-2001, serving as a service academy assistant coach for the varsity in 1997, assisting with coaching the quarterbacks and fullbacks. Wells also mentored the varsity fullbacks for three seasons (1998-2000) and the WELLS FILE Coaching Experience 2012- Utah State -- Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks 2011 Utah State -- Quarterbacks/Recruiting Coordinator 2010 New Mexico -- Wide Receivers 2009 Louisville -- Quarterbacks/Passing Game Coordinator 2007-08 New Mexico -- Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator 2002-06 Tulsa -- Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator 1997-01 Navy -- Quarterbacks/Fullbacks/Wide Receivers/J.V. Head Coach Playing Experience 1993-96 Utah State -- Quarterback Education 1996 Utah State -- Business Marketing (Cum Laude) wide receivers in 2001. During the 1998-2000 seasons, Wells also served as the head junior varsity coach and offensive coordinator. The Navy J.V. teams posted an overall record of 20-2 during that span. Overall, Wells has coached nine all-conference players, two All-Americans and two NFL Draft picks in the last nine years. Wells, a 38-year old native of Sallisaw, Okla., received his bachelor s degree in business marketing from Utah State in 1996, graduating cum laude. He has also taken courses at the Huntsman School of Business in pursuit of his MBA. Wells and his wife, Jen, have two daughters, Jadyn (10) and Ella (7), and a son, Wyatt (4). Season Preview The Aggies Coaching Staff Opponents Season Review Records University WAC Personal Born Aug. 10, 1973 in Columbia, S.C. Married to the former Jen Dirks Daughters Jadyn (10) and Ella (7), Son Wyatt (4) 91
WAC University Records Season Review Opponents Coaching Staff The Aggies Season Preview Jovon Bouknight (pronounced Juh-vonn Bo-night) is in his fourth season with the Utah State football program, going into his third year as wide receivers coach after serving as the Aggies offensive graduate assistant in 2009. Jovon has done a tremendous job in the years that he has been with us. He has tremendous potential and upstart as a coach. He has shown terrific ability and knowledge on and off the field, always wanting to learn and improve as a coach, USU head coach Gary Andersen said. During the 2011 season, Bouknight s receiver corps helped Utah State establish school records for total offense (5,945 yards), rushing yards (3,675), total points (437) and total touchdowns (60). In 2011, USU s offense was statistically one of the best in the country as it led the WAC and ranked sixth in the nation in rushing offense (282.69 ypg). USU also ranked first in the WAC and 18th in the nation in passing efficiency (151.8), first in the WAC and 23rd in the nation in scoring offense (33.62 ppg), and second in the WAC and 20th in the nation in total offense (457.31 ypg). In all, seven different receivers made receptions during the 2011 season including Matt Austin who ranked 21st in the WAC in receiving yards per game (35.77). Austin finished the year leading the team in receptions (34) receiving yards (465) and touchdowns (6), including game-winners in the JOVON BOUKNIGHT Wide Receivers Wyoming, 2006 - Fourth Year at Utah State final minute against both San Jose State and New Mexico State. In 2010, Bouknight coached a total of nine different wide receivers who had at least one reception, including Dontel Watkins who ranked 15th in the WAC in receiving yards per game (41.0) as well as tying for 15th in receptions per game (3.5). In 2009, Bouknight helped coach Stanley Morrison, who led USU and ranked 12th in the WAC with 616 yards on 33 receptions (18.7 ypc) with three touchdowns. The 18.7 yards per catch average ranked Morrison second in the WAC and 11th in FBS. Morrison s 51.5 yards per game ranked 14th in the WAC, while his 2.75 receptions per game was 16th in the league. Bouknight came to Utah State after one season at his alma mater of Wyoming, where he was offensive graduate assistant, working with the Cowboys wide receivers. Bouknight concluded his college career ranked No. 20 in NCAA history in both career receiving yards (3,626) and career receptions (250). After graduating from Wyoming in the spring of 2006, Bouknight signed a free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers and went to camp with the Panthers in the summer of 2006. He later played in NFL Europe in the summer of 2007, before signing as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers later that summer and attended camp with Tampa in 2007. During his senior season, he was one of only 15 semifinalists for the 2005 Biletnikoff Award, which honors the nation s top college receiver each season. He also earned honorable mention All-American honors from College Football News in 2005. He earned first-team all-mountain West Conference honors as a senior in voting by Mountain West coaches and media. The College Football News also selected him to its all-mwc first-team. For the 2005 season, he ranked No. 9 in the NCAA in average receiving yards per game (101.45 ypg), No. 15 in total receiving yards (1,116), No. 10 in all-purpose yards (160.45), No. 12 in average receptions per game (7.00) and No. 11 in kickoff returns (27.75). He concluded his career ranked No. 2 in Mountain West history in both receptions (250) and receiving yards (3,626). In Wyoming school history, Bouknight ranks No. 3 in career receiving yards behind former All-Americans Marcus Harris (No. 1 with 4,518 receiving yards from 1993-96) and Ryan Yarborough (No. 2 with 4,446 from 1990-93). Harris was the 1996 Biletnikoff Award winner. Bouknight ranks No. 2 in school history in career receptions (250), trailing only Harris with 259. Bouknight also completed his career as Wyoming s all-time all-purpose yardage leader (5,921) and career kickoff return leader (2,016). He caught at least one pass in 47 consecutive games, which was also every game of his college career and is the UW school record. He actually caught at least two passes in each of those 47 career games. A native of Denver, Colo., Bouknight was an outstanding quarterback at Manual High School in Denver. He received his bachelor s degree in kinesiology and health promotion from Wyoming in 2006. BOUKNIGHT S FILE Coaching Experience 2010- Utah State -- Wide Receivers 2009 Utah State -- Graduate Assistant/Wide Receivers 2008 Wyoming -- Graduate Assistant/Wide Receivers Playing Experience 2007 Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Wide Receiver 2007 Cologne Centurions -- Wide Receiver 2006 Carolina Panthers -- Wide Receiver 2002-05 Wyoming -- Wide Receiver/Kick Returner Education 2006 Wyoming -- Kinesiology and Health Promotion Personal Born July 15, 1983 in Neuenbürg, Germany 92
Kevin Clune (pronounced Kloon) is entering his fourth year with the Utah State football staff as the Aggies linebackers coach. In 2011, Clune coached first-team all-wac linebacker Bobby Wagner, who led the league and ranked eighth in Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in tackles with 11.3 per game, ranking tied for third in the FBS in total tackles with 147. Wagner earned first-team all-wac accolades for the third-straight season becoming just the eighth player in school history to be named first-team all-conference three times. Wagner also led the Utah State defensive unit with 11.5 tackles for loss, adding four sacks and two interceptions. Wagner was also named the North s Most Outstanding Player in the 2012 Senior Bowl, snaring an interception to go along with seven tackles, tying for gamehigh honors. Wagner, who ended his career with 446 career tackles to rank first all-time in the WAC and tied for first all-time in school history, was drafted in the second round (47) by the Seattle Seahawks and becomes the highest drafted Aggie since Rulon Jones was the 42nd overall pick in the second round in 1980 by the Denver Broncos. Clune also mentored Kyle Gallagher, who ranked tied for 12th in the WAC during the 2011 season in tackles per game (7.69). Gallagher finished his Aggie career with 291 total tackles, ranking just outside of USU s career top 10 lists. In 2011, Clune helped Utah State lead the WAC in total defense (366.2 ypg), ranking 50th in the FBS, as well as ranking second in the KEVIN CLUNE Linebackers Cal State Fullerton, 2000 - Fourth Year at Utah State league in both rushing defense (127.7 ypg) and tackles for loss (5.9 pg). The rushing defense also ranked 31st in FBS, an improvement of 57 spots from 2010, while the total defense s ranking was an improvement of 52 spots from the 2010 FBS rankings. The Aggies also were second in the WAC in opponent third-down conversions in 2011 as USU s opponents converted just 69 third downs on 195 attempts (.354). In 2010, Clune mentored Wagner to lead the WAC and rank eighth in the FBS with 11.1 tackles per game. Wagner s 133 tackles were the most by a USU defender since 2002. Under Clune s coaching in 2009, Wagner led the league and ranked tied for 22nd in FBS in tackles with 115, a 9.6 per game average. Wagner s 115 tackles ranked as the secondmost by a USU sophomore, behind Johndale Carty s record of 138 set in 1996. Wagner was the first sophomore to lead the Aggies in tackles since 1994. Clune came to Utah State after four years as Weber State s defensive coordinator (2005-08), helping the Wildcats to a share of the 2008 Big Sky Conference title and advancing to the quarterfinals of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. During the 2008 season, Clune s defense was fourth in the Big Sky in total defense (363.9 ypg), as well as leading the Big Sky in pass defense (208.4 ypg). Weber State also led the league in pass efficiency defense (109.4), which ranked 17th in FCS. Under Clune, Weber State s defense was ranked second in the Big Sky in both 2006 and 2007. The 2007 Wildcat defense yielded an average of just 348.4 yards per game. WSU also ranked first in the league in pass defense (212.2 ypg) and third in rushing defense (136.2 ypg). During his tenure at Weber State, Clune coached 15 all-big Sky Conference winners, including nine in 2008 and a second-team All- America in 2005 in Brady Fosmark. Clune was Andersen s defensive coordinator at Southern Utah in 2003 and was at SUU through 2004 until joining the Weber State staff in 2005. While at Southern Utah, Clune mentored outside linebacker Nick DiPadova, who earned second-team NCAA Division I-AA All- American honors in 2004 and was honorable mention in 2003. Marques Harris also earned third-team NCAA Division I-AA All-American accolades in 2004 as well. Kevin and I worked together when he was my defensive coordinator at Southern Utah so our defensive beliefs are extremely close. He has coordinator experience, something that is invaluable to a program, and he is a vital part of our strength as a defensive staff, Andersen said. Kevin is very familiar with the state of Utah and everything that it has to offer. He s a terrific recruiter and will help us maintain our goal of continuing a successful program here at Utah State and pursue a conference championship. Clune was a graduate assistant coach on the Utah staff in 2001 and 2002 working with both the running backs and linebackers. He also spent time on the football staffs at Occidental College and Fullerton Junior College coaching the defensive line and linebackers as well as the special teams coordinator. Clune also coached at Dos Pueblos High School and Palma High School. Clune was a defensive lineman at Fullerton JC for one year and spent one season at the University of San Diego. Clune earned his bachelor s degree in kinesiology from Cal State Fullerton in 2000. CLUNE S FILE Coaching Experience 2009- Utah State -- Linebackers 2005-08 Weber State -- Defensive Coordinator 2003-04 Southern Utah -- Defensive Coordinator 2001-02 Utah -- Graduate Assistant 2000 Occidental College -- Defensive Line 1996-99 Fullerton JC -- Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers 1993-94 Dos Pueblos (Calif.) HS -- Linebackers 1991-92 Palma (Calif.) HS -- Defensive Line/Receivers Playing Experience 1990 San Diego -- Linebacker/Defensive Lineman 1995 Fullerton JC -- Defensive Lineman Season Preview The Aggies Coaching Staff Opponents Season Review Records University WAC Education 2000 Cal State Fullerton -- Kinesiology Personal Born Aug. 6, 1972 in Carmel, Calif. 93
WAC University Records Season Review Opponents Coaching Staff The Aggies Season Preview Frank Maile (pronounced My-leh) is entering his fifth season on Utah State s coaching staff including his second year in charge of the defensive line after being promoted from a defensive graduate assistant in 2010. Prior to being a graduate assistant, Maile spent two years (2008-09) serving as a strength and conditioning graduate assistant coach at Utah State. Frank has been here on our staff and has worked very hard to work his way up the ranks and become a coach. He s done everything we ve ever asked of him and more, USU head coach Gary Andersen said. During the 2011 season, Maile helped Utah State s defense end the year ranking first in the WAC and 50th in the nation in total defense (366.23 ypg), second in the WAC and 31st in the nation in rushing defense (127.70 ypg), second in the WAC and 53rd nationally in tackles for loss (5.92 pg), third in the WAC and 48th in the nation in pass efficiency defense (125.58), and third in the WAC and 59th in the nation in sacks (1.92 pg). Maile also coached Levi Koskan during the 2011 season as the senior defensive end earned second-team all-wac honors after finishing the year with 27 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and a team-best 5.5 sacks, not to FRANK MAILE Defensive Line Utah State, 2007 - Fiffh Year at Utah State mention six quarterback hurries. Overall, Koskan ranked eighth in the WAC in sacks and 12th in tackles for loss. Maile also coached Quinn Garner and Al Lapuaho in 2011 and both tied for team highs amongst defensive lineman with 31 stops. Garner added 5.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks during the year, while Lapuaho had 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks. In 2010, Maile worked with the Aggies defensive line, including linemen Garner (43 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, two sacks) and Levi Koskan (41 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks). Koskan was also a nominee for the Rudy Award and the Burlsworth Trophy, honoring a former walk-on. Koskan led the team in both tackles for loss and sacks, ranking 11th in the WAC in sacks and 17th in tackles for loss. Maile was a standout defensive lineman for the Aggies from 2004-07, making 21 starts in playing 42 career games. He posted 71 total tackles (45 solo, 26 assists) with 19 tackles for loss and one fumble recovery. In his senior season of 2007 as team captain, Maile accounted for eight tackles for loss, tying for second on the team. A native of West Valley City, Utah, Maile was a first-team all-state defensive lineman at Alta (Utah) High School. He went on an LDS Church Mission to the Dominican Republic from 2001-03. Maile earned his bachelor s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Utah State in MAILE S FILE Coaching Experience 2011- Utah State -- Defensive Line 2009-10 Utah State -- Defensive Graduate Assistant Playing Experience 2004-07 Utah State -- Defensive Line Education 2007 Utah State -- Interdisciplinary Studies (B.S.) 2010 Utah State -- Education (M.Ed.) Personal Born Jan. 21, 1982 in Kearns, Utah Married to the former Heather Heaton Sons Maximus (8), Samson (4) and Titan (1); Daughter Cecilia (6) 2007 and earned his master s in education in 2010. Maile, and his wife, Heather, have three sons, Maximus (8), Samson (4) and Titan (1), and one daughter, Cecilia (6). The Maile Family (L-R): Maximus, Heather, Samson, Cecilia, Titan, Frank 94
KENDRICK SHAVER Cornerbacks Missouri State, 2002 - Second Year at Utah State Kendrick Shaver is entering his second year at Utah State after joining the Aggie staff in February, 2011. Prior to his current position, Shaver spent four years (2007-10) as the secondary coach at Northern Colorado. We wanted to make sure that we found the right coach that we wanted for the position, someone who is a talented, passionate coach who has recruiting experience and we feel we have found a great fit with Kendrick, USU head coach Gary Andersen said when announcing Shaver s hiring. He came very, very highly recommended and the interview process was easy, as we quickly could tell that he was a great fit for the USU program and Utah State University. During his first year at Utah State in 2011, Shaver s cornerbacks helped anchored an Aggie defense that finished the year ranking first in the WAC and 50th in the nation in total defense (366.23 ypg), second in the WAC and 31st in the nation in rushing defense (127.70 ypg), second in the WAC and 53rd nationally in tackles for loss (5.92 pg), third in the WAC and 48th in the nation in pass efficiency defense (125.58), and third in the WAC and 59th in the nation in sacks (1.92 pg). Under Shaver, Utah State s cornerbacks had three of the top five tacklers on the team in 2011 led by Nevin Lawson and Jumanne Robertson who ranked fourth and fifth on the team in stops with 73 and 48, respectively. Robertson ended the season leading the team with 12 pass break-ups, while Lawson was second with 10 and Brady was third with six. Lawson also had one interception and one fumble recovery in 2011. At Northern Colorado, Shaver coached two all-big Sky Conference players, as cornerback Korey Askew earned first-team all- BSC honors in 2010 after being a secondteam selection in 2009. Safety Max Hewitt was a three-time honorable mention all-bsc honoree in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Both Askew and Hewitt earned Phil Steele s Preseason all-big Sky accolades with Askew named to the first-team and Hewitt collecting secondteam honors. Under Shaver s tutelage in 2010, Askew tallied 58 tackles to rank fourth on the team. He also recorded two tackles for loss, three interceptions for 18 yards and a touchdown, two fumble recoveries for 28 yards and one touchdown, one pass break up and one quarterback hurry. Hewitt was third on UNC with 65 tackles, including seven tackles for loss along with 1.5 sacks, while also notching five pass break-ups, two interceptions and one fumble recovery. In 2009, Askew led all players in the Big Sky with 12 passes defended and his 112 interception return yards and 41 fumble recovery yards were also both the best marks in the league. Hewitt tied for third on the team with 74 total tackles in 2009 and he and Askew shared the team lead with three interceptions apiece. Prior to Northern Colorado, Shaver was the secondary coach at Northeastern Okla- SHAVER S FILE Coaching Experience 2011- Utah State -- Cornerbacks 2007-10 Northern Colorado -- Secondary 2006 Northeastern Oklahoma A&M -- Secondary/Recruiting Coordinator/Academics Monitor 2004-05 Eastern Kentucky -- Defensive & Special Teams Graduate Assistant 2002 Hillcrest (Mo.) HS -- Defensive Backs/Wide Receivers Playing Experience 1998-99 Northeastern Oklahoma A&M -- Free Safety 2000-01 Missouri State -- Free Safety/Cornerback Education 2002 Missouri State -- Business (B.S.) 2005 Eastern Kentucky -- Physical Education (M.S.) homa A&M in 2006. Before Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Shaver spent two years as a graduate assistant coach at Eastern Kentucky University from 2004-05, where he worked with the defensive backs and assisted with the special teams. In 2002, Shaver was the defensive backs and receivers coach at Hillcrest High School in Springfield, Mo. A native of Eufaula, Okla., Shaver played two seasons (1998-99) at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Junior College before transferring to Missouri State, where he was a free safety and cornerback in 2000 and 2001. With 11 pass break-ups in 2001, Shaver is presently tied for No. 6 on MSU s single-season pass defense list. Shaver spent the 2003 season playing for the Sioux Falls Storm of the NIFL before committing to coaching fulltime. Shaver graduated from Missouri State with a bachelor s degree in business in 2002 and went on to earn his master s degree in physical education in 2005 from Eastern Kentucky. Season Preview The Aggies Coaching Staff Opponents Season Review Records University WAC Personal Born Dec. 5, 1978 in McAlester, Okla. 95
WAC University Records Season Review Opponents Coaching Staff The Aggies Season Preview T.J. Woods is entering his fourth season at Utah State and second in charge of the Aggies offensive line after coaching USU s tight ends and special teams his first two years. He s been involved with our offense for a number of years, so he is familiar with what we do and how we do it here at Utah State, USU head coach Gary Andersen said. Coach Woods is a great recruiter. He s from the Southern California area, and having grown up there and played there so that is his recruiting area and he has used his ties to recruit some high-caliber players to Utah State. In 2011, the Aggies offensive line cleared the way for a Utah State offense that established new school records for total offense (5,945 yards), rushing yards (3,675), total points (437) and total touchdowns (60). Two of the Aggies first-team all-wac honorees were offensive linemen as center Tyler Larsen and guard Philip Gapelu collected first-team all-wac accolades. The offensive line duo are the first pair of Aggie offensive linemen to earn first-team all-conference honors since 1997. During the 2011 season, Utah State s offense led the WAC and ranked sixth in FBS in rushing offense (282.7 ypg), as well as second in the conference and 20th in the country in total offense (457.3 ypg), along with first in the league and 23rd in the nation in scoring offense (33.6 ppg). The offensive line led T.J. Woods Offensive Line Azuza Pacific, 2002 - Fourth Year at Utah State USU to ranking second in the WAC and 33rd in Football Bowl Subdivision in sacks allowed, a significant improvement from 2010 when they were ranked 71st in the country. In 2009 and 2010, Woods coached Utah State s tight ends and kickoff return unit, highlighted by Kerwynn Williams setting several FBS and WAC records, including singleseason kickoff return yards (1,444) and singleseason kickoff return yards per game (120.3). Williams led the WAC and ranked sixth in FBS in all-purpose yards per game (170.2) and also led the conference and ranked 21st in the country in kickoff return average (27.3), posting the ninth-best single-season allpurpose mark in the WAC with 2,042 yards. Williams was named to Phil Steele s College Football Review first-team all-wac list at kick returner. Woods came to Utah State from New Mexico, where he spent two seasons along side current Aggies offensive coordinator Matt Wells. At New Mexico, Woods mentored junior center Erik Cook, who earned second-team all-mountain West honors, as well as offensive tackle Byron Bell, who was named to the 2008 CollegeFootballNews.com all-freshman team. Cook is currently playing for the Washington Redskins, while Bell is starting on the Carolina Panthers offensive line. In 2007, Woods coached center Vince Natali and offensive tackle Devin Clark, who both earned first-team all-mwc accolades. Natali is now entering his first season as an offensive graduate assistant with USU. Prior to working at New Mexico, Woods was an assistant coach at Citrus Junior College in Glendora, Calif., for one season. At Citrus, he was the offensive line coach/running game coordinator, helping the Fighting Owls to the Western States Conference South Division title. Woods began his coaching career at his alma mater of Azuza Pacific as the offensive line assistant coach for one season before spending two seasons as tight ends coach. While at Azuza Pacific, Woods helped the Cougars to the NAIA national semifinals, as well as mentoring 2005 NAIA All-American tight end Ricky Burgan. Woods, a native of San Dimas, Calif., was a two-year letterwinner at offensive tackle at Azuza Pacific, garnering NAIA first-team All- America accolades as well as being named to the first-team Don Hansen s Football Gazette NAIA All-America list in 2002. That season he anchored a Cougar offense that amassed 400 yards per game, ranking 13th in the country and the offensive line unit only gave up 12 sacks all season, the fewest allowed by a Cougar team in six seasons. Prior to Azuza Pacific, Woods was at Iowa State for one season, signing with the Cyclones after two standout seasons at Citrus College, where he earned National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All- America honors in 1999. Woods earned his bachelor s degree in business from Azuza Pacific in 2002 and his master s degree in physical education in 2005, also from Azuza Pacific. Woods is married to the former Kelly Williams. WOODS FILE Coaching Experience 2011- Utah State -- Offensive Line 2009-10 Utah State -- Tight Ends/Special Teams 2007-08 New Mexico -- Offensive Line Graduate Assistant 2006 Citrus JC -- Offensive Line/Running Game Coordinator 2002-05 Azuza Pacific -- Offensive Line/Tight Ends Playing Experience 1999-2000 Citrus JC -- Offensive Tackle 2001 Iowa State -- Offensive Tackle 2002 Azuza Pacific -- Offensive Tackle Education 2002 Azuza Pacific -- Business (B.S) 2005 Azuza Pacific -- Physical Education (M.Ed.) T.J. and Kelly Woods Personal Born Oct. 11, 1980 in Upland, Calif. Married to the former Kelly Williams 96
STEVE MATHIS Director of Football Operations/Team Coordinator Snow College, 1980 Fourth Year at Utah State MARK ANDERSEN Director of Football Operations Westminster College, 1993 Third Year at Utah State Steve Mathis is entering his fourth season at Utah State, serving as the Aggies team coordinator and Director of Football Operations. Mathis, who worked with Gary Andersen at Utah for four years as the Utes defensive administrative assistant, handles the program s daily operations as well as coordinating recruiting campus visits. While at Utah, Mathis worked with the defensive coaching staff, handling office duties in addition to scout teams at practice and game day charting. A native of Salt Lake City, Mathis has owned Abbey Carpets for the last 29 years. He was named Businessman of the Year from 2003-05. Mathis also serves on numerous business advisory boards and councils. Mathis was an assistant coach at Alta High School from 2002-04. He was also a little league coach, and as head coach of the Alta Ute Conference eighth and ninth grade team, his squads captured five state titles and won a National Youth Football League championship. He graduated from Snow College in 1980, where he was a member of the basketball team. He then attended Weber State and worked as an athletics trainer for the Wildcats, before getting into the business realm. Mathis is married to the former Kari Handley and the couple has eight children: J.D., Nic, Tim, Cassandra, Chandra and Emma Mathis, and Cadon, Parker and Tyson Handley. Mark Andersen is in his third year with the Utah State football program, serving as Director of Football Operations, joining his brother Gary Andersen s staff in mid-february, 2010. Andersen is reuniting with his brother after previously working together at Utah and Southern Utah. Andersen comes to Utah State after working at Utah since 2004, where he worked on the Utes football operations staff. While at Utah, Andersen was in charge of team travel, game day operations, camps, public relations and many behind the scenes duties. Prior to Utah, Andersen was at Southern Utah in 2003, serving as Director of Football Operations on Coach Andersen s staff. A native of Salt Lake City, Andersen worked in the telecommunications engineering industry for 30 years in Salt Lake City and Denver, retiring in 2002. He earned his business/marketing degree from Westminster College in 1993. Andersen has a son, Trent, a daughter, McCall, and one grandson, Alani. Season Preview The Aggies Coaching Staff Opponents Season Review Records University WAC 97
VINCE NATALI Offensive Graduate Assistant New Mexico, 2008 First Year at Utah State SPENCER TOONE Defensive Graduate Assistant Utah, 2005 Second Year at Utah State WAC University Records Season Review Opponents Coaching Staff The Aggies Season Preview Vince Natali (pronounced na-taw-lee) is entering his first season on Gary Andersen s staff, serving as an offensive graduate assistant. With Utah State, Natali will assist the offensive coaches with daily football operations, primarily working with offensive coordinator Matt Wells and the Aggie offensive line, working with USU offensive line coach T.J. Woods. Prior to his current position at Utah State, Natali worked for two of the world s largest accounting and advising firms as he spent two years (2008-09) with KPMG in Albuquerque, N.M., and two years (2010-11) with PrizewaterhouseCoopers in Chicago, Ill. Natali, who was a two-year starter and four-year letterwinner (2004-07) at center for the University of New Mexico, played for current Aggie coaches Wells and Woods during his senior season in 2007 as Wells was the wide receivers coach for the Lobos and Woods was an offensive line graduate assistant. At New Mexico, Natali earned first-team all-mountain West Conference honors during his senior season as he led the team with 118 knockdowns and allowed just one sack. During the year, Natali anchored an offensive line that led the Mountain West in scoring offense and ranked second in total offense. During his senior season, Natali was the team s top-graded lineman as he posted an 80 percent overall performance grade in each game, including six games with 90 percent marks. He finished the season with double-digit knockdown blocks in eight games. Natali was also a tremendous performer in the weight room during his collegiate career as he earned the team s Beefmaster Award for players weighing 276 pounds and above in 2007. Along with earning first-team all-mwc honors, Natali was a second-team ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America during his senior year. Overall, Natali was a three-time academic all- MWC honoree and graduated in 2006 from UNM with a degree in finance as he posted a 3.86 GPA. He then earned his M.B.A from New Mexico in 2008. Natali was born Feb. 10, 1985, in Park Ridge, Ill. His older brother, Steve, was an offensive lineman at Northwestern (2000-02). His parents Fausto and Nicolina were both born in Italy and he is fluent in the language. Spencer Toone is entering his second season on the Aggie staff, but is no stranger to Gary Andersen s system, as Toone was a threeyear starter under Andersen at Utah. At Utah State, Toone serves as a defensive graduate assistant, working with Andersen as well as focusing on the Aggies linebackers with linebackers coach Kevin Clune. Toone is entering his second year as a coach after a two-year stint in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans. Toone was selected by the Titans with the 37th pick of the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played three games for the Titans in 2006. As a three-year starter at Utah, Toone earned first-team all-mountain West Conference honors in his senior season of 2005, after tying for the league lead in tackles with 113, including five tackles for loss with 2.5 sacks. A team captain as a senior, Toone started all 12 games at rover and played every defensive snap in the first eight games of the season. As a junior, Toone earned honorable mention all-mwc honors after tying for second in the conference with 115 tackles. Toone finished his Utah career with 293 tackles, ranked 10th all-time in school history. Off the field, Toone was a second-team ESPN The Magazine/Co- SIDA Academic All-America in 2005. He was a two-time academic all-district VIII first-team selection as a junior and senior after earning second-team accolades as a sophomore, as well as a three-time academic all-mwc honoree. He was also a member of Utah s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Football Leadership Committee. Toone also earned Utah s President s Award as the team s best athlete with the highest GPA. Toone also attended the NCAA Leadership Conference in Orlando in May, 2003. Prior to his time at Utah, Toone played one year at Ricks (Idaho) Junior College, leading Ricks in tackles and kickoffs returned for touchdowns in 1999, including a 97-yard kickoff return. He helped Ricks win the 1999 Real Dairy Bowl. Toone then went on an LDS Church Mission to Australia from 2000-02. A native of Blackfoot, Idaho, Toone was a lettermen in basketball, baseball and track & field at Snake River High School, and was an all-state free safety in 1997 and an all-state running back in 1998, leading Snake River to the 1997 and 1998 state championships. Toone earned his bachelor s degree in speech communication science from Utah in 2005. He is married to the former Kristen Brown and they have one daughter, Brooklyn. 98
zach nyborg Recruiting Coordinator / Offensive Graduate Assistant BYU, 2011 Third Year at Utah State david fiefia Offensive Graduate Assistant Utah State, 2003 First Year at Utah State Zach Nyborg (pronounced Nye-borg) is in his third season with the Aggie football program, serving as the assistant to the head coach, recruiting coordinator, and as an offensive graduate assistant. Nyborg continues to serve as Coach Andersen s assistant in the daily operations of the football program. He has added the title of recruiting coordinator, and will work with associate head coach/ special teams coordinator Bill Busch to coordinate all the recruiting activities. Nyborg s duties include recruiting administration, organization, managing all official and unofficial visits, creating all outgoing recruiting campaigns, tracking all recruiting paperwork, and other assignments designated by the head coach. He is also the summer camp director for the youth and high school camps. Nyborg, who worked with the defense in 2011, will move back to the offensive this year working with the quarterbacks as an offensive graduate assistant. Nyborg joined the Utah State staff after two years as an assistant on the Timpview (Utah) High School staff. In those two years, Timpview won its third and fourth consecutive state championships and set a Utah HS record for consecutive wins with 36. During that time, Timpview was ranked 21st in the nation. A Centerville, Utah native, Nyborg was a three-sport standout at Viewmont HS, lettering in football, basketball and track & field. After earning seven varsity letters, a back injury shortened his career. Nyborg was an all-region selection at quarterback, and a captain for the football team for one season. He was also a two-year captain for the track & field team and an academic all-state selection in basketball. Nyborg, who served an LDS Church Mission to Knoxville, Tenn., from 2006-08, earned his bachelor s degree from Brigham Young in business management in the summer of 2011 and is currently pursuing a master s in physical and sport education at Utah State. David Fiefia (pronounced Fee-eh-fee-uh) is in his first year with Utah State s football program and will be a graduate assistant coach for the Aggies offense in the fall. A native of West Valley City, Utah, Fiefia joins the Utah State staff after spending time away from football in the professional field. Fiefia was a four-year letterwinner at running back with Utah State from 2000-03, earning first-team all-sun Belt Conference honors as an all-purpose player in 2003, while also earning second-team all- Sun Belt accolades as both a running back and kick returner that same season. He was named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 15, 2003, after recording 159 yards from scrimmage as he rushed 19 times for 77 yards and caught six passes for 82 more yards. He became the first Utah State player to record at least 70 rushing and 70 receiving yards in the same game since 2001. After backing up Aggie legend Emmett White his first three seasons, Fiefia rushed for 967 yards with seven touchdowns as a senior, finishing his career with 1,193 yards and nine scores. He also caught 80 passes for 707 yards with two touchdowns and had 37 career punt returns for 366 yards as well as 37 kick returns for 791 yards. As a running back at Hunter (Utah) High School, Fiefia was a twotime all-state honoree and the Mr. Football Award recipient in 1998. He is married to the former Celestia Roberts of Lindon, Utah, and they have five children, Skyla (14), Mele (8), Afu (6), Kava (4) and Ezra (2), and are expecting another baby girl in August. Fiefia earned his bachelor s degree in marketing from Utah State in 2003 and is pursuing his master s of education in physical education/sports education. Season Preview The Aggies Coaching Staff Opponents Season Review Records University WAC 99
HUNTER TEAFATILLER Offensive Administrative Assistant Nebraska, 2009 Third Year at Utah State KITE AFEAKI Defensive Administrative Assistant Utah, 2006 First Year at Utah State NICK SCHINDLER Special Teams Administrative Assistant Second Year at Utah State WAC University Records Season Review Opponents Coaching Staff The Aggies Season Preview Hunter Teafatiller (pronounced Tee-fuhtiller) is entering his third season with the Utah State coaching staff, serving as an offensive administrative assistant for the second year in a row after being a defensive administrative assistant in 2010. Teafatiller will assist the offensive coaches with daily football operations, primarily working with USU offensive coordinator Matt Wells and specifically working with the Aggie tight ends. Prior to Utah State, Teafatiller was a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater, Nebraska, in 2009, working with the tight ends and special teams. Teafatiller played under current Utah State special teams coordinator Bill Busch at Nebraska, where Teafatiller was a four-year letterwinner from 2005-08, playing H-back. For his career, Teafatiller caught 12 passes for 139 yards (11.6 ypc) with four career touchdowns, which all came in his sophomore season. A native of Kingsburg, Calif., Teafatiller played tight end and defensive end at San Joaquin Memorial High School. Teafatiller helped his team to the 2004 Valley championship. In the process, Teafatiller earned NYL Defensive Player of the Year honors, and was also a first-team NYL selection at tight end and defensive end. Teafatiller earned his bachelor s degree in communication studies from Nebraska in 2009. Kite Afeaki (pronounced kee-tay ah-feeah-kee) is beginning his first year with Utah State s football program as a defensive administrative assistant. In his role, Afeaki will assist the defensive coaches with the daily operations of the defensive unit. Duties include film breakdown, compilation of reports, and any other administrative duties as assigned by the coordinators or position coaches. Prior to joining the Aggie football coaching staff, Afeaki spent over three years working for the state of Nevada. As a collegiate defensive lineman, Afeaki spent two years (2004-05) at Utah where he played in 22 games and made seven career starts. During his senior season, Afeaki recorded 14 total tackles, including 3.0 for a loss of 12 yards. He also had 1.5 sacks during the year. His best outing during his senior season was versus Arizona as he made four stops, including two tackles for loss and one sack. As a junior at Utah, Afeaki recorded 12 tackles including one for loss. Before joining Utah s football program, Afeaki spent the 2003-04 academic year at Salt Lake Community College. Afeaki began his collegiate career at Weber State (2000-01) as he appeared in nine games and recorded 12 tackles. Afeaki prepped at West High School in Salt Lake City, Utah where he was secondteam all-state and a two-time first-team allregion selection. Afeaki, who was born April 19, 1982 on the island of Tonga, graduated from Utah with a bachelor s degree in sociology in 2006 with a minor in criminology and corrections. Afeaki is married to the former Uina Mokofisi and the couple has five girls, Finau (12), Henilieta (10), Matamoana (5), Sela (4) and Lataheanga (1), and one boy, Seleti (7). Nick Schindler is in his second season as an administrative assistant for Utah State. In his role, Schindler will assist the special teams coaches with the daily operations of the special teams. Duties include film breakdown, compilation of reports, and any other administrative duties as assigned by the coordinators or position coaches. Schindler, who is currently a senior at Utah State majoring in mathematics, began his collegiate career at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa where he spent three seasons playing tight end for the Mustangs Football team. Schindler is originally from Creighton, Neb., and attended Creighton High School where he was a four-year lettermen in football, basketball, baseball, and track & field. During his senior season, he earned all-state honors as an offensive tackle on the football team. 100
ALL-TIME ASSISTANT COACHES All-Time Utah State Assistant Coaches Name alma Mater Years at USU Scott Ackerman Southern Utah, 1970 1973-74 Lance Anderson Idaho State, 1996 2004 Robin Andrea Washington, 1972 1983-84 Dave Aranda California Lutheran, 1999 2012 Paul Arslanian Northern Arizona, 1976 1998-99 Jerry Attaway California State, 1971 1976-77 Kent Baer Utah State, 1973 1979-85 Dave Baldwin CS Northridge, 1978 2009-11 Rudy Basovsky Adams State, 1961 1967 Pat Behrns Dakota State, 1972 1986-91 Steve Bernstein Occidental, 1967 1970-72 Brian Billick Brigham Young, 1977 1986-88 Pat Blackburn Utah State, 1980 1983-84 Fred Bleil Westmar, 1971 1986-91 Jovon Bouknight Wyoming, 2006 2010-12 Bo Bolinger Oklahoma 1968 Mark Brady Brigham Young, 1982 1998-99 Gregg Brandon Northern Colorado, 1978 1991 Larry Bryan Utah State, 1965 1975 Dick Bumpas Arkansas, 1972 1992-94 Bill Busch Neb.-Wesleyan, 1988 2009-12 Ray Butcher Utah State, 1961 1974-75 Ed Cavanaugh Duke, 1951 1967 Charles Chandler Central Washington, 1988 1995-97 Jeff Choate Western Montana, 1993 2003-04 Kevin Clune CS Fullerton, 2000 2009-12 Bob Cole Widener, 1982 2000-04 Darryl Collier Florida A&M, 1979 1992 Jesse Cone Stanford, 1951 1969-72 Jeff Copp Boise State, 2001 2005-08 Walt Corey Miami 1967-69 Moe Cotter Pittsburg State, 1962 1986-87 Mike Cox Idaho, 1989 1995-97 Nick Cuccia Utah State, 1967 1970 Dennis Darnell Missouri State, 1969 1991 Craig Dickenson Montana, 1995 2000 Darrell Dickey Kansas State, 1983 2007-08 Dan Dodd Drake, 1978 1989-90 Stan Eggen Moorehead State, 1976 1986-90 Mike Ellison Utah State, 1971 1972 Gene Epley Indiana (Pa.), 1965 1967-68 Jim Erkenbeck San Diego State, 1952 1967 Rich Ericson Weber State, 1990 1998-99 Doug Fiore Miami, 1975 1985-88 Carl Franks Montana, 1994 2000-02 Jeff Fries Arizona, 1965 1970 George Galli Southern California, 1957 1965-66 Alex Gerke Utah, 1988 2009-10 Keith Gilbertson C. Washington St., 1971 1977-81 Rich Groth Utah, 1966 1971-72 Darrel Guthrie Utah State, 1951 1960 Brent Guy Oklahoma State, 1983 1992-94 Garth Hall Utah State, 1968 1969-72 Norvel Hansen Utah State, 1949 1963-65 Tom Harrell Texas, 1947 1985 Wade Harman Drake, 1986 1989-91 Donnie Henderson Utah State, 1979 1986-88 Artie Holmes Washington State, 1988 1995-97 Jeff Hoover UC Davis, 1991 2000-04 Cornell Jackson Sterling, 1986 1990-91 Mark Johnson UC Davis, 1990 2005-08 Shaun Johnson Utah State, 1995 2006-08 Jeff Jorgensen Utah State, 1972 1974-79 Lannie Julias San Jose State, 1964 1976-77 Nate Kaczor Utah State, 1991 1994-99 Chad Kauha aha a Utah, 1996 2009-10 Eric Kiesau Portland State, 1986 2000-02 Tony Knap Idaho, 1939 1959-62 David Kotulski New Mexico St., 1975 2003-04 Phil Krueger SE Missouri, 1951 1963 Sid Lane Utah State, 1968 1968-70 Bill Laveroni California, 1970 1979-82 R. Todd Littlejohn Fresno State, 1989 1998-99 Mike Lynch Montana, 1999 2002-04 Name alma Mater Years at USU Frank Maile Utah State, 2007 2011-12 Rod Marinelli Cal-Lutheran, 1972 1977-82 Greg Mark Miami, 1989 1995 John Math L.A. State, 1958 1964-66 Ralph Maughan Utah State, 1947 1951-66 Jim McAllister Whittier, 1961 1972-73 Max McCartney Whittier, 1958 1967-68 Kevin McGiven Utah Valley, 2001 2009 Gene McKeehan Utah State, 1968 1971-72, 83-94 Tom McMahon Carroll College, 1992 1998-2005 Henry Miller Northern Arizona, 1989 1998-99 Thurmond Moore San Jose State, 1978 1994 Steve Nejman Weber State, 1993 1998-99 Jack Nelson Gustavous Adolphus 1955-57 Don Norris Utah State, 1967 1967 Derrick Odum Utah, 1992 2000-02 Bob Owens LaVerne, 1970 1983-85 John Pappas Utah State, 1969 1985 Kraig Paulson Montana, 1987 2000-02 Gary Patterson Kansas State, 1982 1992-94 Steve Peck UC-Riverside, 1969 1977-78 Chris Pella Utah State, 1966 1967-68, 72-82 Bob Petrino Carroll College, 1983 1995-97 Paul Petrino Carroll College, 1989 1995-97 George Porter San Jose State, 1952 1964-66 Al Prukop Southern California, 1961 1967-68 John Ramage Brigham Young, 1982 1985-91 Tom Ramage Utah State, 1957 1963-64 Pat Randolph West Virginia, 1988 1989 Corey Raymond LSU, 1992 2009-10 David Reeves Montana, 1989 2000-03 Roberto Rey Long Beach State, 1982 1985 Danilo Robinson Utah State, 1997 2005-08 Jack Robinson Illinois, 1949 1974-75, 83-85 Tommie Robinson Troy State, 1985 1992-93 Scott Runyan Wyoming, 1988 1992-94 John Rushing Washington State, 1995 2003-08 Dwone Sanders McNeese State, 1990 1994 Mike Sanford Southern California, 1978 2012 Mike Santiago Southern Utah, 1977 2005-06 Al Saunders San Jose State, 1969 1973-75 Denny Schuler Oregon, 1969 1976-82 Kendrick Shaver Missouri State, 2002 2011-12 Terry Shea Oregon, 1969 1976-83 Chris Smeland Cal Poly, 1974 1995-97 Doug Smith Pacific, 1952 1971-76 Tracy Smith LSU, 2003 2006-08 Bruce Snyder Oregon, 1963 1973 Evan Sorenson Utah State, 1947 1955-60 Greg Stevens Eastern Oregon, 1992 2005-08 Chris Tabor Benedictine, 1993 2002-05 Mike Trevathan Montana, 1999 2000-01 Iliasa Tuiaki Southern Utah, 2006 2009-11 Mike Tuiasosopo Pacific Lutheran, 1989 1996-99 Dave Tyler Utah State, 1978 1984 Randy Tyson Utah State, 1963 1966 Art Valero Boise State, 1981 1995-97 Vance Vice Oklahoma State, 1990 2005-08 Scott Wachenheim Air Force, 1984 1992-93 Dewey Wade Houston, 1959 1969-71 DeWayne Walker Minnesota, 1981 1993 Paul Wargo Arizona, 1968 1971-72 Mike Waufle Utah State, 1979 1982-84 Craig Wederquist Drake, 1983 1988-91 Matt Wells Utah State, 1996 2011-12 Frank Williams Utah State, 1948 1960-62 Joe Wood Oregon, 1973 1980-82 T.J. Woods Azuza Pacific, 2002 2009-12 Calvin Woodworth Oklahoma, 1956 1958-63 Cliff Yoshida Cal Poly Pomona, 1963 1970, 72 Jim Zorn Cal Poly Pomona, 1976 1992-94 Note: 1957-Present. Full-time coaches only. Bold = Current Assistant Coaches Season Preview The Aggies Coaching Staff Opponents Season Review Records University WAC 101
SUPPORT MIKE BAIR Director of Equipment Operations Utah State, 1995 15th Year at Utah State BILL GARREN Video Coordinator Idaho State, 2002 Seventh Year at Utah State EVAN SIMON Strength & Conditioning Head Coach Frostburg State, 2002 Fourth Year at Utah State WAC University Records Season Review Opponents Coaching Staff The Aggies Season Preview Entering his 16th year as the athletic department s supervisor of athletic equipment is Mike Bair, who joined the staff in August, 1997. In his role, Bair services all 16 sports with athletic equipment, uniforms and clothing, while also supervising student managers for many of the sports. He served on the Schutt Sports Athletic Council from 2003-05. In January, 2010, Bair was named the District 8 Athletic Equipment Managers of America (AEMA) Equipment Manager of the Year. A Lewiston, Utah native, Bair, who was born August 20, 1966, graduated from Sky View High School in Smithfield, Utah and Utah State with a business management degree in 1995. Prior to coming to Utah State, Bair worked in the sporting goods industry doing retail and team sales. Away from the equipment room, Bair works in the community with youth sports programs. He and his wife, the former Michelle Parker, have three children, Makayla (18), Nick (16) and Adelynn (8). Makayla will be a junior at Utah State this fall. USU Equipment Managers (1950s-Present) Mike Carlisle 1956-66 Ken Seamons 1967-91 Brad Berlin 1992-94 Mike Smith 1994-95 Craig Hopkins 1996 Mike Bair 1997-present JOE DIANCIN Strength and Conditioning Assistant Coach Second Year at Utah State Bill Garren is in his seventh year as the video coordinator for the Utah State athletics department. Garren is responsible for managing all aspects of athletic video and editing within the athletics department, which includes training and supervising a staff of student assistants to shoot all the football practices and games along with men and women s basketball games. His responsibilities also include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the video room and assisting with the video needs of USU s 16 intercollegiate sports. Garren also provides technical support and training for coaches and support staff. For the past three years, Garren has been voted the Western Athletic Conference Video Coordinator of the Year by the Collegiate Sports Video Association (CSVA). Prior to his current role at Utah State, Garren served as the video coordinator at Idaho State in 2000 and 2001 before moving to San Jose State for the 2002 season. He was then an assistant football and track coach at his high school in Montrose, Colo., in 2003 before spending the 2004 and 2005 seasons as video coordinator at Idaho State. Garren earned a master s degree in athletic administration from Idaho State in 2005. Garren, who was born April 3, 1976 in Grand Junction, Colo., was an all-conference football player at Montrose High School. He played two seasons at Ricks College (currently BYU-Idaho) and then one season at Idaho State before beginning his video career. He and his wife Melinda have three children, Maia (13), Milly (8) and Tyler (4). USU Video Coordinators (2000-Present) Kevin Soria 2000 Ross Folan 2001-02 Darin Seegmiller 2003 Wesley Burnard 2005 Bill Garren 2006-present MICAH CLOWARD Strength and Conditioning Graduate Asst. Second Year at Utah State Evan Simon is in his fourth season as Utah State s strength and conditioning head coach. Simon came to Utah State after three years at the University of Utah where he was the Utes associate director of strength and conditioning. During his time at Utah, he assisted with the conditioning workouts for the football and men s basketball teams, as well as coordinating workouts for softball, women s basketball and women s track and field in addition to developing rehabilitation programs for football and softball. Simon is familiar with the Utah State football coaching staff, re-uniting with Aggie head coach Gary Andersen, who also came to USU from Utah. Prior to Utah, Simon was the head strength and conditioning coach at Davidson College from 2004-06, where he coordinated the strength programs for the Wildcats 21 Division I sports. Before his stint at Davidson, Simon was a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Kentucky from 2002-04, working with the football, baseball, men s soccer, and volleyball teams. A native of Lexington Park, Md., Simon earned his health and physical education bachelor s degree from Frostburg State (Md.) in 2002. Simon also earned a master s of science degree in exercise physiology from Kentucky in 2004. Simon is married to the former Linda Kyte. The couple has one daughter, Abbi (4). JENNIFER PETROSINO Strength and Conditioning Graduate Asst. First Year at Utah State USU Strength and Conditioning Coaches (1987-Present) Doug Salmon 1987-92 Milt White 1993-96 Kim Sword 1997-98 Shawn Griswold 1999-2003 Mark Uyeyama 2004-2007 Jacob Scharnhorst 2008 Evan Simon 2009-present LARRY JESSAMY Strength and Conditioning Graduate Asst. First Year at Utah State 102
FORMER USU COACHES IN THE NFL Brad Berlin Washington Redskins - Equip. Mgr. USU Equip. Mgr. 1992-93 Rod Marinelli Chicago Bears - Asst. Head Coach/D Coord. USU Assistant 1977-82 Chris Tabor Cleveland Browns - Special Teams Coord.* USU Assistant 2002-05 Wade Harman Baltimore Ravens - Tight Ends USU Assistant 1988-91 Tom McMahon Kansas City Chiefs- Special Teams Coord. USU Assistant 1998-2005 Mike Waufle St. Louis Rams - Defensive Line USU Assistant 1982-84 Not Pictured: Al Saunders - Oakland Raiders (Senior Offensive Assistant); USU Assistant 1973-75 Not Pictured: Eric Sanders - Oakland Raiders (Defensive Quality Control); USU Graduate Assistant 2008 Nate Kaczor Tennessee Titans - Asst. Offensive Line USU Assistant 1994-99 John Rushing Green Bay Packers - Offensive Asst./Special Teams USU Assistant 2003-08 Jim Zorn Kansas City Chiefs - Quarterbacks USU Assistant 1992-94 Season Preview The Aggies Coaching Staff Opponents Season Review Records University WAC 103
WAC University Records Season Review Opponents Coaching Staff The Aggies Season Preview Good is good, but it is not great. Be Great. Play Up. 104 WACSports.com