Gary Andersen - Football Coach - University of Utah Athletics

Gary Andersen

Title:
Football Asst Head Coach/Def. Coord./Def. Line

Gary Andersen

Associate Head Coach
Defensive Line
1st/12th Year

Coaching Experience
2018-               Utah
                        Associate Head Coach
                        Defensive Line
2015-17           Oregon State
                        Head Coach
2013-14           Wisconsin
                        Head Coach
2009-12           Utah State
                        Head Coach
2004-08           Utah
2005-               Defensive Coordinator
                        Assistant Head Coach
                        Defensive Line
2004                Defensive Line
2003                Southern Utah
                        Head Coach
1997-2002       Utah
2002                Assistant Head Coach
                        Defensive Line
                        Special Teams Coord.
2001                Assistant Head Coach
                        Defensive Tackles
                        Strong Side Ends
                        Special Teams Coord.
1997-00           Defensive Tackles
                        Strong Side Ends
1995-96           Northern Arizona
                        Assistant Head Coach
                        Defensive Line/Special Teams
1994                Park City HS (Utah)
                        Head Coach
1992-93           Idaho State
                        Defensive Line
1989-91           Ricks College
                        Offensive Line
1988                Southeastern Louisiana
                        Assistant Head Coach
                        Offensive Coordinator

Bowl Experience
2015                Outback Bowl
2013                Capital One Bowl
2012                Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
2011                Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
2009 (2008)     Sugar Bowl
2007                Poinsettia Bowl
2006                Armed Forces Bowl
2005                Emerald Bowl
2004 (2005)     Fiesta Bowl
2001                Las Vegas Bowl
1999                Las Vegas Bowl

          After nine years as an FBS head coach, former Utah defensive coordinator Gary Andersen returned to his alma mater in January 2018 as the associate head coach and defensive line coach. It is Andersen’s third stint with the Utes and his 12th season overall.
          Andersen reunites with Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham for the fourth time in his career. Their paths first crossed at Idaho State from 1992-93 where Whittingham was the defensive coordinator and Andersen the defensive line coach. They served in the same roles at Utah from 1997-02 before Andersen left for one season as the head coach at Southern Utah. He would return as Utah’s defensive line coach in 2004—taking over as the defensive coordinator in 2005 when Whittingham became the head coach.
          Upon the conclusion of Utah’s 13-0 Sugar Bowl season in 2008, Andersen returned to head coaching at Utah State (2009-12), Wisconsin (2013-14) and Oregon State (2015-17). Among his highlights were a Western Athletic Conference championship in 2012 with Utah State and the Big Ten Conference West Division title in 2014 with Wisconsin. Utah State and Wisconsin both played in two bowl games during Andersen’s stay.
          As Utah’s defensive coordinator from 2005-08, the Utes finished in the top three in the Mountain West Conference in scoring defense every year, including a No. 1 league ranking (No. 5 in the nation) in 2007, when the Utes led the nation in pass efficiency defense. In the undefeated 2008 season, the Utes finished in the top two in the Mountain West in total defense, scoring defense, rush defense and pass efficiency defense.
          During his time at Utah, Andersen coached two All-Americans (consensus defensive back Eric Weddle in 2005 and defensive end Paul Kruger in 2008), two conference defensive MVPs (John Frank in 1999 and Weddle in 2005 and ‘06), 19 first-team all-conference players and 16 NFL draft picks. Six players who were coached by Andersen during their Utah careers are on current NFL rosters: Weddle, Sean Smith, Bryce McCain, Koa Misi, Sealver Siliga and Derrick Shelby. As a head or assistant coach, Andersen numbers 40 NFL draft picks.
          Andersen began his college coaching career in 1988 as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana. His other college experience came at Ricks College (1989-91), Idaho State (1992-93) and Northern Arizona (1995-96). He was the head coach at Park City High in 1994.

Playing Career
Played center for Utah from 1985-86 after earning first-team junior college All-America honors at Ricks College in 1984.

Education
Utah, 1986
Bachelor’s degree in political science

Personal Data
Hometown: Salt Lake City
Birthdate: Feb. 19, 1964
Family: Married to the former Stacey Lambert. Sons Keegan, Chasen and Hagen.