Why Blake Anderson didn't want to wait for promotion to Southern Miss football coach
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One year and three days ago, Southern Miss football was buzzing with excitement for the introduction of new coach Charles Huff.
On Dec. 15, the university introduced another football coach, albeit sooner than expected. And just like they did a year ago, university president Joseph Paul and athletic director Jeremy McClain stood at the podium expressing gratitude and hope for the Golden Eagles’ future and for their new coach Blake Anderson.
“Blake Anderson, as Dr. Paul said, is the most accomplished football coach we have ever hired at Southern Miss,” McClain said. “… I have no doubt that there are great days ahead for Southern Miss football.”
Anderson was named the Golden Eagles’ 24th coach on Dec. 11 following the departure of Charles Huff, who left to coach at Memphis.
Anderson was elevated from offensive coordinator, and his first task will be to lead USM (7-5) against Western Kentucky (8-4) in the New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 23 (4:30 p.m. CT, ESPN).
Anderson has 10 years of head coaching experience at Arkansas State and Utah State with a career record of 74-54. He also served as an assistant at USM from 2008-11 and had been clear with McClain that he wanted the job.
“As soon as I knew Charlie was leaving, I called Jeremy,” Anderson said. “I said, ‘I want the job. That’s why I’m here.’ And he said, ‘You’re just going to have to wait.’ … And he made me wait way longer than I wanted to. … I appreciate that he didn’t compromise the integrity of the search. He did it the right way. … And I do agree. I think I’m the right guy for the job right now.”
McClain said Anderson was immediately identified as a candidate for the position. But it wasn’t until they had a three-hour conversation about his vision for Southern Miss’ program that it became clear to McClain that Anderson the right pick.
“We left there convicted about something that was important to us,” McClain said. “Blake was ready to lead this program today. There would be no learning on the job. We got a chance to hire an experienced and highly successful head coach who had the burning desire to help to continue elevate our football program.”
Anderson will look to build off the turnaround Huff started, taking Southern Miss from 1-11 in 2024 to bowl-eligible in 2025. Anderson’s gratitude for the opportunity took center stage at his introduction.
“What I promise you is we will not waste the opportunity,” Anderson said. “I do not take for granted standing here. It was not a foregone conclusion. It could have been somebody else, but I’m here, and I will not waste it.”
Anderson joined Huff’s staff as USM’s offensive coordinator in December 2024. He was fired at Utah State in July 2024 for violating his employment agreement and university policy by contacting a potential domestic violence victim and witness to an incident after a player was arrested and by failing to report the case properly.
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X @tiareid65.
This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Why Southern Miss football hired Blake Anderson as coach
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