Utah State’s surprising dismissal of head football coach Gary Andersen on Saturday after the Aggies’ disappointing and noncompetitive 0-3 start reverberated throughout the state.
Andersen has friends, mentors and coaches he’s helped develop at every college football program in Utah, including BYU.
“Well, I have a personal connection with Gary Andersen,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said Monday. “I would not be here if it were not for mentors that I have had in coaching. … There have been some great coaches who have been a big part of my life.”
Sitake mentioned Andersen, the late LaVell Edwards, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo, former Utah and Weber State coach Ron McBride and Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid as some of the coaches who have been instrumental in his success.