Former Aggie QB Wells named new head coach

<strong>LOGAN—</strong> Utah State University wasted little time naming its replacement for recently departed head coach Gary Andersen.

Current offensive coordinator Matt Wells was named the head coach of the Aggies roughly 72 hours after the news first broke that Andersen might be on the move. Wells, 39, was a three-year letterwinner for USU in the mid-90s and just completed his first year as offensive coordinator and second year on the Utah State staff.

“As you can imagine over the last month or so, with the possible changes in our head coaching staff, I’ve had a file of candidates, obviously, but at the end of the day, continuity is critical,” USU Athletic Director Scott Barnes said. “If you have continuity without talent, the pedigree, and everything that leads to it, move on. We had all of that, the stars aligned. So, at the end of the day, when President Albrecht and I visited on potential candidates … there was no consideration in moving anywhere but to Matt, given what he’s accomplished here, his roots, what he stands for, and again certainly continuity.”

Under Wells, the USU offense set school records for total points (454), total offensive yards (6,108), total yards per game (469.8), and completions (285). The 2012 team was also the second highest scoring Aggie team ever, scoring 34.9 points per game – including a school record seven straight games with at least 38 points to end the season.

“You have my unwavering commitment to continue to build this program that we’re all proud of. It’s respected nationally, and the process we use on a daily basis, those kind of things will not change,” Wells said. “I am honored, I am humbled, and I am extremely fired up to be the next head football coach at Utah State University.”

Wells began his coaching career at Navy in 1997 after graduating from USU in 1996. From there, Wells spent time at Tulsa, New Mexico, and Louisville before returning to Utah State in in 2011 as the quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator. Had Wells not accepted the USU offer, he would have joined Andersen at Wisconsin.

“This program is bigger than any one person. Having said that, I believe we have absolutely found the right person to lead the next phase of Aggie athletics,” Barnes said. “As we think about the next steps for Aggie football, and we think about what’s needed – the passion, the commitment, and oh by the way, a former Aggie quarterback – leading the charge. Continuity means everything, but it means nothing unless you have the right person … we have that individual for sure.”

<em><strong>@TheRealTO</strong></em>

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