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BYU football: Is there any chance that Gary Andersen comes to Provo?

By Nathan Cunningham

CORVALLIS, OR - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Gary Andersen of the Oregon State Beavers reacts to a missed field goal by the Stanford Cardinal in the third quarter of the game at Reser Stadium on September 25, 2015 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
CORVALLIS, OR - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Gary Andersen of the Oregon State Beavers reacts to a missed field goal by the Stanford Cardinal in the third quarter of the game at Reser Stadium on September 25, 2015 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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BYU football’s coaching staff has left a lot to be desired this season. While they all need time to get their recruits, an intriguing name is up for hire.

Most BYU football fans are wanting some sort of coaching changes. They’re frustrated not with the Cougars having a down season – but with just how putrid the team is this season.

We could argue what BYU football’s floor and ceiling are in this new era of big money, big time college football.

But the fact of the matter is that since 2000, the Cougars’ realistic floor was somewhere around six wins (barring the last Crowton year). The ceiling was 11 or so wins.

This season, the Cougars will be fortunate to get to six wins. In all honesty, it seems like a long shot.

While I firmly believe that the coaching staff needs four full years before anyone is on the hot seat, I completely understand those who are finished with Ty Detmer. If the Cougar offense was just below average I think people would be fine. But considering we need to celebrate when they cross the 50-yard line, it illustrates the poor state the team is in.

So even though I don’t think any coaches should be fired just yet, I do believe that BYU football needs to look at every option out there.

Gary Andersen and Oregon State “mutually part ways”

(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

And one new option just hit the market.

Gary Andersen, formerly the head coach of Utah State and Wisconsin, has agreed to part ways with Oregon State.

Things haven’t been pretty this season in Corvallis. The Beavers are just 1-5 on the season. Still, Andersen walked away from more than $11 million.

Is there any chance he’ll end up with BYU football?

There are a few reasons why it would make sense. Andersen knows Utah and recruiting. Plus, he’s got a good relationship with Kalani Sitake.

Andersen brought USU from four wins to 11 wins in four seasons. The Aggies went 11-2 in 2012, capturing a bowl victory for the first time since 1993.

He then spent two years at Wisconsin, picking up 19 wins. Then, in a puzzling move, he left the Badgers for Oregon State.

Kalani Sitake and Ilaisa Tuiaki were both hired by Andersen.

While there, Sitake was defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. He was making $730,000 per year.

Before Sitake was hired by BYU football, Andersen told The Oregonian that if the Cougars wanted him, they’d “have to come get him and make it a special offer.”

Obviously they did.

Perhaps there’s another offer being cooked up for Andersen?

Follow the dollar

Ultimately, BYU football will be hindered by its lack of funding. Rumor among some donors is that Kalani Sitake has been vocal about the football program not getting a lion’s share of the generated revenue.

If the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wants BYU football to be successful, then the checkbook needs to be opened. If not, that’s fine – but we need to realize that a lack of money is a bigger hurdle than the Honor Code, or experience, or the lack of a conference.

Until then, it will be tough for BYU football to go out and get experienced, top-level coaches.

But if there was ever a time it might work, it could be right now. After all, Andersen waived an $11-million contract.

In his official statement, he said “coaching is not about the mighty dollar.”

Ding, ding, ding, we may have a winner!

Not to mention, Andersen left Wisconsin for Oregon State because he was more familiar with the western part of the country. He believed Oregon State and Utah State had a number of similarities, and he felt he was equipped to handle the uphill battle that is leaving a powerhouse school.

It didn’t work out.

But you know what school is similar to Utah State?

BYU.

Same region, similar recruiting pool, both are competing with Utah for the state’s best recruits. Neither school gets P5 level funding.

My gut tells me there’s no way something like this happens. Who knows what kind of position Andersen would even take. At this point, it’s unknown if he even wants to remain in coaching.

But then again, he’s got ties to the state, clearly doesn’t care about money and he’s got direct connections to the staff at BYU.

Anything is possible I suppose. We’ll see how these next few days play out.

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