Utah bound

Who knew “one and done” happened in college football, too? The students/faculty/ boosters/players at Arkansas State University could tell you about it. At least those who are old enough to remember the pre-Blake Anderson era, which notably might not include students and players.

For Blake Anderson stayed at ASU seven years. The last time he wasn’t coaching the Arkansas State football team, some current players were in grade school. But before him, the school was known as a coaching merry-goround.

Coaches would take over the program, win 10 games, and get a higher profile job elsewhere. You’ve heard the names Hugh Freeze and Gus Malzahn. DBU? Lineback U? More like Next SEC Coach U.

It says something — something good — about a coach who spent as much time at the press conference at his new school to talk as much as he did about the school he just left. Apparently, Blake Anderson spent a lot of time at his first press conference for Utah State talking about ASU. All the good things he said about Jonesboro, well, gosh, thanks Coach.

Blake Anderson’s time, especially these last few years, hasn’t been easy off the field. He lost a wife and father recently. His grief has been public, and shared with a state. And A-State.

Now he moves on, as nearly all football coaches do. But before the Red Wolves turn it over to “Butch Jonesboro,” let’s thank the man who brought a load of stability to a program not known for it. Blake Anderson is a class act. Now he’ll be Utah’s class act.

Good luck, coach. We’ll see you in a bowl game.

Say, are there any good bowl tieins with the Sunbelt and the Mountain West?