USU, Andersen and expansion
Though I’ve been on vacation with the family and sort of out of the loop for the last couple of weeks, I couldn’t help but be captivated by all the chatter going on about college football and conference expansion/implosion/realignment.
Indeed, these have been a very compelling couple of weeks.
As I wrote last, Boise State was on the verge of getting an invitation to join the Mountain West Conference. After a false start at the MWC meetings, that invitation came and was just one of a few moves that has had the college football world rocking.
Utah State, not surprisingly, hasn’t been in the heart of all these discussions, but the Aggies haven’t exactly sitting idly while waiting for the dust to settle — though that might be exactly what USU has to do before it figures out what’s next.
USU football coach Gary Andersen, as one might expect, has been an eager observer of the goings on. But he’s also had some perspective about the entire situation given Utah State’s position in the pecking order.
“All we care about is working daily to make a better Aggie,” Andersen said via text message when reached Tuesday morning. “All the other stuff is a complete non-factor.”
USU athletic director Scott Barnes has been in frequent contact with the WAC offices and is diligently trying to ensure the best future for the league and for the school — whatever that may be.
But with numerous football players back on campus with summer classes and conditioning in full swing, Andersen is focusing on being a football coach rather than a football politician.
Andersen, shortly after Boise State accepted the invitation to join the MWC, had this to say in a statement released by the university.
“Having been involved in both conferences, I have tremendous respect for the WAC and the Mountain West. The WAC is a conference that has great notoriety throughout the country,” he said. “I believe this will remain the case with or without Boise State. Clearly Boise State sees this move as a great opportunity and the Mountain West is gaining a quality university. I look forward to what the future has in store for the WAC.”
Likewise, Barnes expressed optimism for a strong and viable WAC in the future.
“With Boise State University accepting an invitation to join the Mountain West Conference beginning in 2011, I will continue to be in constant contact with WAC commissioner Karl Benson, other commissioners and colleagues around the county to monitor movement as BCS conferences execute their expansion plans. Although this is an uncertain time, I’m hopeful in our ability to create opportunities out of this perceived setback,” Barnes said.
Still, the dynamic situation hasn’t gone unnoticed by Andersen. Without naming any school in particular, Andersen said all the changes might not be in the best interests of the schools, conferences or the sport.
“All I can say to a few teams out there is be careful what you wish for,” Andersen said via text message Tuesday.