COACHES SECTION HEAD COACH Mick Dennehy fans per game for the then third best home average (now fifth) in school history his first season. In 2001 the Aggies set a school atten- dance mark averaging 21,784 fans without the benefit of hosting Head Coach BYU or Utah. In 2002, USU reached the 21,000-mark for just the third (Montana, 1973) time in school history with a 21,112 average. Fifth Year at Utah State Dennehy’s first team won five games for the most victories by an Aggie team since 1997 and despite being picked to finish fifth in the in the preseason polls, USU’s final league game against Boise State was for the conference championship. As Mick Dennehy enters his fifth season as the head coach at In 2003, USU’s only other year in a conference in the Dennehy Utah State, there have been strong signs of the Aggies turning era, the Aggies were picked to finish a distance sixth in the Sun around a program which has produced just two winning seasons Belt, but responded by winning three of its first four league games in the last 23 years. and tying for fourth. In the first four years of the Dennehy era, the Aggies have drawn USU produced three of the top-10 total offense days in school three of the top five season attendance averages in school his- history in his inagural year here and the defense landed three line- tory. His five years at the helm are the fourth most of the 14 coaches backers and the only freshman on the all-Big West Conference first that have followed , who coached 29 seasons be- team. fore retiring in 1948. Facing a difficult task as an independent in 2001 and 2002, On the field his teams have played seven nationally ranked Dennehy’s teams showed a never-say-die attitude, posting strong teams in four years, the most ranked opponents for an Aggie coach results late in each of those years. In 2001 after opening the year since ’s teams played seven from 1988-91 and nine with five straight losses, including four to future bowl teams, the overall in Shelton’s six years. Aggies ran His teams have produced winning home records in each of off four his four years as he has become the first Aggie coach to accom- straight wins. plish that feat since John Ralston, who coached from 1959-62. In 2002, USU He has coached four players that have received All-America put together honors in the last four years (Emmett White, , Steve a 3-1 streak Mullins, and Chris Cooley), the best stretch for the school since an after suffer- identical four players were recognized from 1985-88. ing a heart- And as the Aggies finish up play in the breaking 35- this season after two years as an independent from 2001-02, the 34 loss to future is bright as USU will join the Western Athletic Conference be- BYU. ginning in the 2005 season. This new era in football began on Dec. 3, Dennehy, 1999 when the University hired a head football coach known for who came explosive offenses and an impeccable record both on and off the to USU Mick and Sheila Dennehy field. Dennehy was a highly successful head coach at Montana known for from 1996-99 and became the 24th head coach in Utah State Uni- producing a high-powered, wide-open passing offensive attack, versity and in his first season at the Aggie helm in 2000 showed why led Montana to three Big Sky Championships in his four years as the Aggie football program is in good hands. Dennehy (pro- head coach with a runner-up finish in 1997. The Grizzlies advanced nounced Den-uh-hee) replaced , who led USU to a to the Division I-AA playoffs in each of his four years and finished as 7-15 record in two seasons. the national runner-up in 1996. “We need to win some fans back with an exciting brand of Dennehy was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson award in 1999, winning football,” said then USU director of athletics Rance Pugmire which is given to the Division I-AA Coach of the Year and built a 39- on the day Dennehy was hired. 12 record for a 76.5 winning percentage in his four years, including USU started to win the fans back as the Aggies averaged 19,910 a 27-5 (84.4 percent) conference mark. In 1999, Montana went 9- 3 overall with a 7-1 mark in Big Sky play to claim the league title Coaching Experience and finished the year ranked seventh in the country. The Grizzlies 1975-78 Colton (Wash.) HS Head Coach lost in the first round of the I-AA playoffs 30-27 to Youngstown State 1979-81 Helena (Mont.) HS Head Coach on Nov. 27. 1980-81 Montana State Assistant Coach Montana’s offenses with Dennehy as the offensive coordina- 1982-87 Campbell C’nty (Wyo.) HS Head Coach tor or head coach were among the most productive at the Divi- 1988-90 Western Montana Head Coach 1991-95 Montana Off. Coord./OL sion I-AA level and were consistently ranked among the national 1996-99 Montana Head Coach leaders, leading the country in total offense, passing offense and 2000- Utah State Head Coach scoring offense in 1995, as well as in passing offense in 1993 and 1996. Playing Experience 1971-72 Montana Safety In fact, Montana ranked in the top four in the country in pass- ing offense in all nine of Dennehy’s years at Montana and was in Education the top five in scoring and total offense in five of his last seven years. 1968 Butte HS Butte, Mont. Montana was ranked second in Division I-AA in passing offense 1973 Montana B.A. in education 1977 Wash. State Masters in admin. (370.0 per game), total offense (517.4) and scoring offense (46.4) in 1999. The 1999 team led the Big Sky in scoring offense and scor- Personal ing defense (23.1), marking the first time one school led the league • Born June 13, 1950 in Butte, Mont. in both categories since Idaho State in 1981. The Grizzlies also led • Wife’s name is Sheila. • Sons Jake and Mark, who both played at Montana through the league in total offense and total defense (348.5) marking just 1997. the third time one school led in scoring offense, total offense, scor-

UTAH STATE FOOTBALL 52 COACHES SECTION MICK DENNEHY Dennehy’s Coaching Record ing, and total defense in the same season. “Montana has had a model program and has Year School Overall Pct. Conf. Pct. Notes dominated its league for years,” Pugmire said when 1988 West. Montana 1-6 .143 1-5 / 5th .167 Revived program he hired Dennehy. “Mick has been at the heart of 1989 West. Montana 4-4 .500 2-4 / 4th .333 that success and we are fortunate to attract a coach 1990 West. Montana 5-3 .625 3-3 / 3rd .500 of his caliber to Utah State University. I remember 1996 Montana 14-1 .933 8-0 / 1st 1.00 3-1 (runners-up) 1997 Montana 8-4 .667 6-2 / 2nd .750 0-1 in playoffs my many years at Idaho watching what seemed to 1998 Montana 8-4 .667 6-2 / 1st .750 0-1 in playoffs be an unstoppable offense. 1999 Montana 9-3 .750 7-1 / 1st .875 0-1 in playoffs “As we checked references, it became very 2000 Utah State 5-6 .455 4-1 / 2nd .800 2nd in Big West clear that not only would this be a great catch for 2001 Utah State 4-7 .364 N/A N/A Played 4 Top 25 Utah State, but this hire would be a great fit for the 2002 Utah State 4-7 .364 N/A N/A 5 bowl opponents 2003 Utah State 3-9 .250 3-4 / t4th .429 1st year in Sun Belt community.” Head Coach (11 yrs.) 65-54 .546 40-22 .645 3-4 in playoffs Academics have also been very important for Assistant Coach (7 yrs) 54-29 .651 32-18 .640 6-2 in playoffs the Montana football program as the school pro- Collegiate (18 years) 119-83 .589 72-40 .643 9-6 in playoffs duced 13 academic All-Americans, including 12 se- Head Coaching Record lections in Dennehy’s tenure. Dennehy has had 55 Year School Overall Pct. Conf. Pct. Notes of his 60 seniors earn a degree as well. Montana 1988-90 W. Mont. (3 yrs) 10-13 .435 6-12 .333 Revived Program ranked first or second in the Big Sky in football aca- 1996-99 Montana (4 yrs) 39-12 .765 27-5 .844 Four playoffs demic all-league selections in 12 of the last 13 years. 2000- Utah State (4 yrs) 16-29 .356 7-5 .583 50th career win Totals 11 Years 65-54 .546 40-22 .645 In addition, in 1999 Montana had four players earn GTE Academic all-district honors. High School Head Coaching Experience That attention to academics has continued at Year School Overall USU as the Aggies have had several players earn all- 1975-78 Colton (Wash.) HS 39-5 1979-81 Helena (Mont.) HS N/A district honors for their academic achievements. 1982-87 Campbell County (Wyo.) HS N/A During his career at Montana, which included Totals 13 years 88-60 serving as the team’s and of- fensive line coach from 1991-95, UM won five league Dennehy’s Head Coaching Note-able titles and advanced to the national playoffs seven 1988 consecutive times. Montana won the national • Took over Western Montana program, which had dropped football in 1987. championship in ‘95 and was runner-up in his inau- • First head coaching win was 23-16 victory against Rocky Mountain. gural season as the head coach in ‘96. Montana 1989 advanced to seven straight I-AA playoff appear- • Western Montana won three straight games midway through the year. 1990 ances, the longest streak of any team in the ‘90s and • Guided Western Montana to first winning season in five years. the team’s 93 wins in the ‘90s were third best in I-AA 1996 trailing only Youngstown State (101) and Dayton (98). • Led Montana to national runner-up finish in first season. While serving as Montana’s head coach for four • Team won 14 straight games before losing national championship game. years Dennehy saw 21 of his players named first-team • Montana was ranked second in the national poll. • Grizzlies led nation in passing offense, was second in total offense and third in scoring all-Big Sky, with another 30 being tabbed during his offense. five years as an assistant coach. • Defeated a Division I opponent in Oregon State (35-14). Prior to returning to his alma mater (he gradu- • Named Coach of the Year. ated from Montana in 1973 with a bachelor’s de- 1997 • Won final four games to finish second in Big Sky and advance to the NCAA I-AA playoffs. gree in education) as an assistant ahead of the 1991 • Ranked ninth in the national poll. season, Dennehy was head coach at Colton (Wash.) • Named Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year. HS from 1975-78, head coach at Helena (Mont.) HS • Had nine players earn All-America honors. from 1979-81, assistant coach at Montana State from 1998 • Won Big Sky Championship and ranked 14th in the national poll. 1980-81, head coach at Campbell County (Gillette, • Passing offense ranked third in the nation. Wyo.) HS from 1982-87 and head coach at Western • Had two players earn All-America honors. Montana, a NAIA school in Dillon, Mont. from 1988- 1999 90. • Won Big Sky Championship and ranked seventh in the national poll. • Went 9-3 overall with each of the three losses by a field goal. At Western Montana, he took over a program • Ranked first in the country in total offense, and second in passing offense and scoring that had dropped football in 1987 and posted a 1-6 offense. record in 1988. In 1989 the team improved to 4-4 • Montana was the first school since 1981 to lead the Big Sky in scoring offense and defense. and in 1990 went 5-3 under his guidance. 2000 • Recorded his 50th career victory and first Utah State win against Southern Utah. Dennehy played safety at Montana from 1971- • Quickest USU coach to reach first win (second game) since 1973 (seventh coach since 72 and earned first-team all-Big Sky Conference hon- then). ors in 1972. He is tied for second on the Big Sky single- • Led Utah State to five wins, USU’s most since 1997. season interceptions list with 10 pickoffs in 1972 and • USU finished the year second in the Big West despite being picked last in the preseason is tied for ninth in career interceptions with 16. He poll. • Emmett White earned third-team All-America honors. also earned the Golden Helmet Award his senior year 2001 as the hardest hitter on the team. • Set school season attendance average record of 21,784 without playing Utah or BYU. Dennehy, who was born June 13, 1950 in Butte, • Kevin Curtis earned third-team All-America honors. Mont., and his wife Sheila, have two sons: Jake, a 2002 • Produced school record holders in career passing (Jose Fuentes) and career receiving four-year letterman at safety for Montana from 1994- (Kevin Curtis). 97 and Mark, a former Grizzlies wide receiver from • Kevin Curtis was drafted in fourth round. 1996-97. • Inducted into Butte, Mont. Hall of Fame in July of 2003. In addition to his bachelor’s degree from Mon- 2003 • Chris Cooley earned honorable mention All-America honors and was a third-round NFL tana, Dennehy earned a master’s degree in educa- draft choice. tional administration from Washington State in 1977. • Won three of first four league games after being an independent for two years.

UTAH STATE FOOTBALL 53 COACHES SECTION MICK DENNEHY Dennehy Game By Game 1988: W. Montana (1-6, 1-5/5th 1997: Montana (8-4, 6-2/2nd Big Sky) 2001: Utah State (4-7/Independent) Frontier) W 24-10 S.F. AUSTIN L 19-23 at Utah L 10-44 *at Montana Tech W 35-14 ST. MARY’S L 14-31 at Louisiana State L 0-56 *CARROLL COLLEGE W 52-10 *SACRAMENTO STATE L 42-43 WYOMING L 14-28 at Spokane Falls CC L 13-28 at Wyoming L 21-38 OREGON L 0-77 *at Carroll College W 48-0 *at Idaho State L 34-54 at Brigham Young W 23-16 *ROCKY MOUNTAIN L 35-40 *EASTERN WASHINGTON W 28-27 IDAHO STATE L 16-28 *MONTANA TECH L 24-27 *at Northern Arizona W 30-27 CENTRAL FLORIDA L 21-43 *at Rocky Mountain W 21-13 *CS NORTHRIDGE W 38-31 at Connecticut W 37-7 *at Portland State W 56-43 WEBER STATE 1989: W. Montana (4-4, 2-4/4th W 38-13 *WEBER STATE L 13-34 at South Florida Frontier) W 27-25 *at Montana State L 21-70 at Fresno State L 17-35 *MONTANA TECH NCAA I-AA Playoffs W 21-20 at Spokane Falls CC L 14-19 at McNeese State 2002: Utah State (4-7/Independent) L 21-31 *at Carroll College L 3-23 UTAH W 50-21 *at Montana Tech 1998: Montana (8-4, 6-2/1st Big Sky) L 13-44 at Nebraska W 28-22 at Jamestown College W 49-42 at S.F. Austin W 38-33 IDAHO STATE W 39-28 *at Rocky Mountain L 35-45 SOUTHERN UTAH L 7-48 at Iowa L 23-34 *CARROLL COLLEGE W 37-14 CAL POLY L 38-63 at Boise State L 17-23 *ROCKY MOUNTAIN L 20-27 *at Weber State L 34-35 BRIGHAM YOUNG W 20-17 *PORTLAND STATE W 45-44 NEW MEXICO (OT) 1990: W. Montana (5-3, 3-3/3rd L 7-21 *at Cal State Northridge L 48-51 at Louisiana-Monroe (2 OT) Frontier) W 33-20 *NORTHERN ARIZONA W 32-30 NEW MEXICO STATE W 34-13 at University of Mary W 30-27 *at Eastern Washington W 19-16 at Troy State (OT) W 28-20 JAMESTOWN W 40-13 *IDAHO STATE L 28-45 at Middle Tennessee L 35-38 *at Montana Tech W 31-16 *at Sacramento State L 37-49 *CARROLL COLLEGE W 28-21 *MONTANA STATE 2003: Utah State (3-9, 3-4/t4th Sun Belt) W 48-18 *ROCKY MOUNTAIN NCAA I-AA Playoffs L 20-40 at Utah W 35-14 *MONTANA TECH L 9-52 at Western Illinois L 7-31 at Nebraska W 49-16 *at Carroll College L 16-26 at Arizona State L 21-35 *at Rocky Mountain 1999: Montana (9-3, 7-1/1st Big Sky) W 28-10 UL-MONROE* W 45-13 SOUTH DAKOTA L 7-34 at New Mexico 1996: Montana (14-1, 8-0/1st Big Sky) W 41-38 *CS SACRAMENTO (2OT) L 21-48 WYOMING W 35-14 at Oregon State W 81-22 *WEBER STATE L 27-37 at North Texas* W 43-0 CAL POLY L 48-51 *at Portland State (OT) W 49-0 ARKANSAS STATE* W 35-17 *at Sacramento State W 48-27 *CS NORTHRIDGE W 41-20 MIDDLE TENNESSEE* W 44-13 SOUTHERN UTAH W 42-23 *at Northern Arizona L 21-26 at New Mexico State* W 43-19 *IDAHO STATE W 25-7 *EASTERN WASHINGTON L 14-23 TROY STATE^ W 34-30 *at Eastern Washington W 73-23 *at Idaho State L 13-20 at Idaho* W 48-32 *NORTHERN ARIZONA W 28-14 at Cal Poly W 43-36 *at CS Northridge L 30-33 IDAHO Record Breakdown W 63-6 *PORTLAND STATE W 49-3 *at Montana State Overall: 62-45 (.579) W 24-10 *at Weber State NCAA I-AA Playoffs Home: 37-16 (.698) W 35-14 *MONTANA STATE L 27-30 YOUNGSTOWN STATE Away : 25-29 (.463) NCAA I-AA Playoffs Neutral: 0-0 W 48-3 NICHOLLS STATE 2000: Utah State (5-6, 4-1/2nd Big West) Conference: 37-18 (.673) W 44-14 E. TENN. STATE L 16-38 at Texas Tech Non-Conference: 25-27 (.481) W 70-7 TROY STATE W 30-14 SOUTHERN UTAH Postseason: 3-4 L 29-49 at Marshall (Championship) L 20-44 at Arizona State Games decided by a TD or less: 34 (20-14) L 14-35 UTAH Games decided by a FG or less: 14 (7-7) L 14-38 at Brigham Young W 17-12 *at North Texas W 31-14 *IDAHO W 44-31 *ARKANSAS STATE W 44-37 *at New Mexico State L 38-66 *at Boise State L 24-27 IDAHO STATE

UTAH STATE FOOTBALL 54 COACHES SECTION MICK DENNEHY

Dennehy vs. All Opponents Opponent WMU UM USU Total Opponent WMU UM USU Total Arizona State 0-0 0-0 0-2 0-2 New Mexico 0-0 0-0 1-1 1-1 Arkansas State 0-0 0-0 2-0 2-0 New Mexico State 0-0 0-0 2-1 2-1 Boise State 0-0 0-0 0-2 0-2 Nicholls State 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 Brigham Young 0-0 0-0 0-3 0-3 North Texas 0-0 0-0 1-1 1-1 Cal Poly 0-0 3-0 0-0 3-0 Northern Arizona 0-0 3-1 0-0 3-1 CS Northridge 0-0 3-1 0-0 3-1 Oregon 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 Carroll College 1-5 0-0 0-0 1-5 Oregon State 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 Central Florida 0-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 Portland State 0-0 3-1 0-0 3-1 Connecticut 0-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 Rocky Mountain College 3-3 0-0 0-0 3-3 Eastern Washington 0-0 3-1 0-0 3-1 Sacramento State 0-0 4-0 0-0 4-0 East Tennessee State 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 Saint Mary’s 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 Fresno State 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 South Dakota 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 Idaho 0-0 0-1 1-1 1-2 South Florida 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 Idaho State 0-0 4-0 2-1 6-1 Southern Utah 0-0 1-1 1-0 2-1 Iowa 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 Spokane Falls CC 1-1 0-0 0-0 1-1 Jamestown 2-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 Stephen F. Austin 0-0 2-0 0-0 2-0 Louisiana-Monroe 0-0 0-0 1-1 1-1 Texas Tech 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 Louisiana State 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 Troy State 0-0 1-0 1-1 2-1 Marshall 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-1 Utah 0-0 0-0 0-4 0-4 Mary 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 Weber State 0-0 3-1 1-0 4-1 McNeese State 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-1 Western Illinois 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-1 Middle Tennessee 0-0 0-0 1-1 1-1 Wyoming 0-0 0-1 0-2 0-3 Montana State 0-0 4-0 0-0 4-0 Youngstown State 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-1 Montana Tech 2-4 0-0 0-0 2-4 Totals 10-13 39-12 16-29 65-54 Nebraska 0-0 0-0 0-2 0-2

UTAH STATE FOOTBALL 55 COACHES SECTION LANCE ANDERSON / JEFF CHOATE ASSISTANT COACHES

Coaching Experience Lance Anderson 1997 Idaho State Running Backs 1998 Idaho State Tight Ends Linebackers 1999 Mobile (Ala.) Regional Football League (Idaho State, 1996) 1999-2000 Bucknell Off. Line/Tight Ends First Year at Utah State 2001-2002 Bucknell Def. Line/Recruiting 2003 St. Mary’s Co-Def. Coord./DL

Playing Experience 1989 Brigham Young The newest member of the USU coaching staff is Lance 1993-94 Idaho State Anderson who was named as the outside linebackers coach in January of 2004. Anderson replaced David Reeves, who Education resigned to accept the head coaching position at Rocky 1989 Minico HS Rupert, Idaho Mountain (Mont.) College. 1996 Idaho State B.S. in biology Anderson served as the co-defensive coordinator and Personal defensive • Born Feb. 5, 1971 in Rupert, Idaho line coach • Wife is Sherri at Saint • Children Aubrey, Jaren and Braden Mary's (Ca- lif.) College in 2003. Last season the Gaels had Jeff Choate four defen- sive players Special Teams Coordinator/Safeties earn I-AA In- (Western Montana, 1993) dependent Second Year at Utah State honors as safety W eston Borba was a Entering his second season as a full-time assistant in first-team se- charge of the Aggie special teams and working with the safe- lection, line- The Anderson Family - Lance, Aubrey, Jaren, Sherri ties is Jeff Choate. He spent the 2002 season as a graduate and Braden backers Ray assistant coach working with the defensive line here. Mike and Heath Villarreal were second-team picks and line- Last year Choate worked with safety Terrance Washing- backer Anthony Woodards earned honorable mention rec- ton, who earned second-team Freshman All-America hon- ognition. ors as well as being named second team all-Sun Belt Confer- Prior to spending one season at Saint Mary's, Anderson ence. worked four years at Bucknell with current Aggie defensive Choate came to USU after serving as the athletic direc- coordinator Dave Kotulski. He spent 2001 and 2002 as the tor and head football coach at Post Falls (Idaho) High School. school's defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator af- ter working with the tight ends and offensive line in 1999 and 2000. While at St. Mary's, Anderson used the same defense he learned from Kotulski at Bucknell. Anderson is familiar with the area as he was born and raised in Rupert, Idaho and his father wrestled and played football at Utah State. Anderson played high school football, and track before walking on to the football team at Brigham Young University in 1989. After serving an LDS mis- sion, he walked on at Idaho State in 1993 and 1994. He graduated from ISU with a degree in biology in 1996. He and his wife Sherri have three children, Aubrey, Jaren, and Braden. Anderson's previous coaching stops include Idaho State in 1997 and 1998 and the Mobile (Ala.) Admirals of the Re- The Choate Family - Jeff, Jacy, Janet and Jory gional Football League in 1999. Choate spent four years as head coach at Post Falls. He also was an assistant wrestling coach and assistant track

UTAH STATE FOOTBALL 56 COACHES SECTION BOB COLE coach. In 1996 he earned the school’s teacher of the year fense produced three of the top 10 total yardage games in honor. school history. Prior to working at Post Falls, he was the defensive coor- In a four-game stretch late in 2000, USU averaged 565.5 dinator at Twin Falls (Idaho) High School and the head coach yards and 39.3 points per game and scored 30-plus points in at Challis (Idaho) High School. four straight games for the first time since 1990. Choate started his coaching career at his alma mater of Cole spent the 1999 season at Montana, and under his Western Montana, where he spent 1991-93. In that time he direction the Grizzly offense finished second in the nation in was the linebackers coach, strength coach and recruiting total offense (517.4 yards per game), passing offense (370.0) coordinator. and scoring As a college player at Western Montana he was a starter offense at linebacker as a freshman before an off-season automo- (46.4). In his bile accident ended his playing career. His head coach was final year at current USU head coach Mick Dennehy. Portland Choate earned a B.S. in social sciences from Western State in Montana in 1993. He has worked on a master’s degree. 1998, the Vi- Choate was born July 15, 1970 in Columbus, Ohio and kings led the then graduated from St. Maries (Idaho) High School in 1988. Big Sky in to- He and his wife Janet have one son Jory and one daughter tal offense Jacy at 464.6 yards per Coaching Experience game and 1991-93 Western Montana Linebackers were fourth 1994-96 Challis (Idaho) HS Head Coach in Division I- 1997 Twin Falls (Idaho) HS Def. Coord. AA in pass- 1998-2001 Post Falls (Idaho) HS Head Coach The Cole Family - Bob, Zoe, Kathy and Bobby 2002 Utah State Graduate Assistant ing at 305.4 2003- Utah State Spec. Teams/Safeties yards per game. While coaching and designing the offense Playing Experience at Portland State, Cole coached Jimmy Blanchard, who led 1988-90 Western Montana Linebacker the nation in passing efficiency in 1998, while Orshawante Bryant led the Big Sky in receiving yards and running back Education Charles Dunn was in the top 10 in the nation in rushing in that 1988 St. Maries HS St. Maries, Idaho same season. 1993 Western Montana B.S. in social sciences As a three-year starting at Widener, he led Personal the Pioneers to a 35-2 combined record in that time as well • Born July 15, 1970 in Columbus, Ohio as the 1981 Division III national championship. Widener ad- • Wife is Janet vanced to the national semifinals in his sophomore and jun- • Son Jory and daughter Jacy ior seasons as well. Cole earned a degree in social science, along with a teaching credential from Widener in 1982. He and his wife Bob Cole Kathy have one daughter (Zoe) and one son (Bobby). Coaching Experience Offensive Coord./Quarterbacks 1982 San Francisco Assistant (Widener, 1982) 1983-85 Moreau HS Assistant Fifth Year at Utah State 1986-88 San Leandro HS Head Coach 1989-92 Sonoma State Off. Coord. 1993-98 Portland State Off. Coord. 1999 Montana Off. Coord. 2000- Utah State Off. Coord. In his fifth year at Utah State and his 13th as an offensive coordinator at the collegiate level is Bob Cole, who came to Playing Experience USU after one year at Montana. 1979-81 Widener Quarterback Directly responsible for the quarterback position, Cole helped develop Jose Fuentes, who went on to become the Education 1977 Whitehall HS Whitehall, Pa. school’s all-time passing leader before graduating after the 1982 Widener B.S. in social science 2002 season. Last year he coached Travis Cox, who in his first year as a Personal starter, threw for 2,791 yards to lead the Sun Belt Conference • Born Sept. 26, 1959 in Allentown, Pa. and earn second-team all-league honors. • Wife is Kathy USU’s offense ranked seventh in the nation in 2002 and • Daughter Zoe and son Bobby was 13th in 2001. Under his direction in 2000 the Aggie of-

UTAH STATE FOOTBALL 57 COACHES SECTION JEFF HOOVER / DAVID KOTULSKI Jeff Hoover Coaching Experience 1991 Sacramento (Arena) Off./Def. Lines Offensive Line 1991-92 UC Davis Off. Line/JV off. coord. (UC Davis, 1991) 1993-94 Claremont-Mudd Offensive Line Fifth Year at Utah State 1995-99 Portland State Off. Line/Rec. Coord. 2000- Utah State Offensive Line

Playing Experience 1986-90 UC Davis Offensive Line

Entering his fifth year at Utah State is Jeff Hoover. Hoover Education came to USU after spending the previous five seasons as the 1986 Monte Vista HS Spring Valley, Calif. offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Portland 1991 UC DavisThe Cole Family B.A. in political science State. He coaches the offensive line at USU. In his first two years Hoover’s line helped pave the way Personal for Emmett White, who ranked 13th in the NCAA in rushing in • Born July 26, 1968 in New York, N.Y. 2000 and 11th in 2001. In 2000, Utah State was ranked among • Wife is Penny the top teams in the nation by allowing just 15 sacks. In 2001, • Son Cole and daughter Lauren the Aggies were 14th in the country in passing offense. This past season Hoover coached Outland Trophy can- didate Trevor Hutton, who was a second-team all-Sun Belt pick and signed a free agent contract with Indianapolis. Two Aggies earned all-Big West honors in 2000 under his David Kotulski guidance, including first-team pick Jeff Long and second- team selection Jim Walker. In 2001 Jim Walker was an all- Defensive Coordinator independent selection. (New Mexico State, 1975) Hoover, who joined the Portland State staff in 1995, Second Year at Utah State coached two first-team all-conference linemen, who helped pave the way for first-team all-Big Sky running back and PSU career rushing leader Charles Dunn. The Vikings also boasted the nation’s The Aggie defense will be under the direction of second- passing effi- year USU coordinator David Kotulski, who has spent the last ciency leader 14 years as a collegiate defensive coordinator. in Jimmy Kotulski begins his seecond season with the Aggies after Blanchard in being a coordinator at St. Mary’s (Calif.) College (1990-94) 1998. Two of and Bucknell (1995-2002), where the Bison produced seven his linemen consecutive winning seasons. He has been a collegiate as- earned All- sistant coach since 1978 and spent the 2002 season as the America hon- interim head coach at Bucknell, filling in for Tom Gadd, who ors, including had taken a leave of absence to fight brain cancer. Bobby Singh, In his first year at USU Kotulski’s defense produced the who played second-best turnaround in for the Super The Hoover Family - Bob, Lauren, Cole and Penny Bowl Cham- college foot- pion St. Louis Rams and Moe Tauilo. ball as the Additionally, four of his Aggie linemen have signed free Aggies ranked agent contracts with NFL teams, including Long in 2000 (Jack- 111th in total sonville), Walker in 2001 (Baltimore), Newton in 2002 (India- defense the napolis), and Hutton in 2003 (Indianapolis). year before he In 1998 Portland State led the Big Sky in total offense at arrived and 464.4 yards per game. While at Portland State, Hoover also improved that served as the recruiting coordinator. to 45th in 2003. As a player at UC Davis, Hoover was a three-year starter Kotulski is and a two-time all-conference selection. He also wrestled no stranger to from 1986-88. Hoover was raised in Chicago before moving the state of The Kotulski Family - Davey, Cissy, David and Carey. to San Diego where he graduated from Monte Vista High Utah as he School. He earned his degree in political science at UC Davis started his collegiate coaching career as a defensive line in 1991. Hoover and his wife Penny have one daughter and linebackers coach at the from 1978- (Lauren) and one son (Cole). 89. There he worked for three different Ute head coaches, including Wayne Howard, Chuck Stobart and . In his eight years at Bucknell, the Bison’s defenses were annually among the top two in the Patriot League and ranked nationally at the division I-AA level. In the last eight years, Bucknell allowed just 101 yards rush-

UTAH STATE FOOTBALL 58 g

COACHES SECTION MIKE LYNCH / TOM McMAHON

ing, 189 yards passing and 290 total yards per game. In ad- graduate work in education at Utah State. dition, Kotulski’s teams averaged 34 sacks and forced 26 turn- overs per year and allowed just 16.9 points per game. Coaching Experience During his time at Bucknell, the Bison had five first-team 1999 Montana Restricted Earnings All-Americans. 2000-01 Utah State Graduate Assistant Kotulski graduated from New Mexico State where he 2002- Utah State Tight Ends played linebacker and center in 1972 and 1973. Playing Experience 1995-96 Sierra College Offensive Line Coaching Experience 1997-98 Montana Offensive Line 1975-77 St. Paul (N.M.) HS Assistant 1978-89 Utah Def. Line, Linebackers Education 1990-94 St. Mary’s (Calif.) Defensive Coordinator 1994 Oakmont HS Roseville, Calif. 1995-2001 Bucknell Defensive Coordinator 1999 Montana B.A. in history 2002 Bucknell Interim Head Coach 2003 Utah State Defensive Coordinator Personal • Born Nov. 20, 1975 in Jackson, Calif. Playing Experience • He is single 1970-71 Morton (Ill.) JC Linebacker, Center 1972-73 New Mexico State Linebacker, Center

Education 1970 Fenwick HS Oak Park, Ill. 1975 New Mexico State B.S. in physical ed. Tom McMahon

Personal Def. Line/Recruiting Coord. • Born Jan. 7, 1953 in Berwyn, Ill. • Wife is Cissy (Carroll College, 1992) • Children are Davey and Carey Seventh Year at Utah State

The dean of the Aggie football coaching staff, Tom Mike Lynch McMahon is entering his seventh year as a full-time assistant coach at Utah State after spending the previous two sea- Tight Ends sons as a graduate assistant at the school. (Montana, 1999) McMahon will coach USU’s defensive line for the fourth Third Year at Utah State year, after spending three seasons working the linebackers. McMahon coached the defensive ends and outside line- backers for the two years prior to that. In his tenure he has coached seven first-team all-confer- Entering his fifth year overall at Utah State and his third ence selections. In 2000, three Aggie linebackers earned year as a full-time coach at the college level is Mike Lynch, first-team all-conference honors, including Brent Passey, Blake who came to Utah State from Montana. Eagal and Jesse Busta. In 1999 all three USU starting line- Lynch was the restricted earnings coach at Montana in backers also earned all-conference honors, including first- 1999, working with the tight ends. He spent two years as a team pick Passey and second-team choices Eagal and Tony graduate assistant at Utah State (2000 and 2001), working Newson. on the offensive side of the ball with an emphasis on the tight Under his tutelage in 1998, linebackers Tony D’Amato ends. and Passey were named first-team all-conference. D’Amato, He was promoted to his current position after the 2001 who was a football season. In 2001 he worked with J.R. Suguturaga, who Butkus signed an NFL free agent contract in 2002 and in 2003 an- A ward other Aggie tight end, Casey Poppinga, signed a free agent Candidate, contract as well. Last season, Lynch coached Chris Cooley, set an USU who was the nation’s leading receiving tight end and was a school third-round NFL draft pick by Washington. record for Lynch played the 1994 and 1995 seasons at Sierra Junior most tack- College. He transferred to Montana and was a center on les in one the 1997 and 1998 teams. season with He played football, wrestled (his father was his coach), 170. competed in track and rugby at Oakmont High School in D’Amato Roseville, Calif., where he graduated in 1994. was also Lynch was born Nov. 20, 1975 in Jackson, Calif. He named the earned a degree in history from Montana in 1999 with a mi- Big West The McMahon Family - Dawson, Tom, Quincy, Kim nor in health and human performance. He also earned a Confer- and Emmett teaching credential in secondary education and has started ence Defensive Player of the Year and signed a free agent

UTAH STATE FOOTBALL 59 COACHES SECTION JOHN RUSHING / CHRIS TABOR contract with the . Prior to coaching at Montana State, Rushing worked as McMahon also coached Ben Crosland, who was also a a graduate assistant with the secondary at Boise State as Big West Defensive Player of the Year in 1997. Last year Ronald the Broncos won the Big West title in 1999. He was also a Tupea was a second-team all-Sun Belt Conference selec- member of the Willamette (Ore.) staff in 1996 and 1997 as tion the Bearcats won two conference titles and were the na- McMahon, a native of Helena, Mont., started his coach- tional runners-up in 1997. ing career at his alma mater, Carroll College, serving as the Rushing was a four-year starter as a defensive back at secondary coach for the Saints in 1992 and 1994. He spent Washington State and set a school record by starting 46 the 1993 season as secondary and receivers coach at games in his career there. He earned honorable mention Bozeman (Mont.) High School. all-Pac 10 honors as a freshman and again as a sophomore. He was a four-year letterman (1988-91) and three-year In 1991 he was named to The Sporting News Freshman All- starter at cornerback at Carroll College. McMahon earned America team. all-conference honors as a senior in 1991 after picking off six His senior year at WSU, the Cougars ranked second in passes. the NCAA in total defense by allowing just 229.0 yards per McMahon graduated from Carroll College with a bach- game. They were also second in the country in scoring de- elor of arts degree in mathematics and secondary educa- fense at 12.1 points per contest. tion and a minor in computer science in 1992 and earned his Rushing grew up in Merced, Calif. and attended Merced master’s degree from USU in 1997 in secondary education. High School. He graduated from Washington State with a He is married to the former Kim Sullivan. They have two degree in sociology in 1995 and is just shy of finishing a sons, Dawson and Emmett, and a daughter, Quincy. master’s degree through .

Coaching Experience Coaching Experience 1992 Carroll College Secondary 1995 Merced Union (CA) Secondary 1993 Bozeman (Mont.) HS DB & WR 1996-97 Willamette (Ore.) Secondary 1994 Carroll College Secondary 1998-99 Boise State Grad. Asst./Secondary 1995 Utah State Video Coordinator 2000-02 Montana State Secondary 1996-97 Utah State Graduate Assistant - Def. Ends 2003- Utah State Secondary 1998-2000 Utah State Linebackers 2001- Utah State Defensive Line Playing Experience 1991-94 Washington State Secondary Playing Experience 1988-91 Carroll College Cornerback Education 1991 Merced HS Merced, Calif Education 1995 Washington State B.A. in sociology 1988 Capital HS Helena, Mont. 1992 Carroll College B.A. in math/secondary ed. Personal 1997 Utah State M.E.D in secondary ed. • Born Feb. 26, 1972 in Merced, Calif. • Daughter Tatiana Personal • Born July 12, 1969 in Helena, Mont. • Married to the former Kim Sullivan of Anaconda, Mont. • Sons Dawson and Emmett, daughter Quincy Chris Tabor

Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers John Rushing (Benedictine, ’93) Third Year at Utah State Cornerbacks (Washington State, 1995) Second Year at Utah State Entering his third year at Utah State is former head foot- ball coach at Culver-Stockton, Chris Tabor. After the 2002 season, Tabor was promoted to Assistant Head Coach, while Coachg the Aggie cornerbacks for the second straight also resuming his duties as the Aggie wide receivers coach. year will be John Rushing. Rushing came to Utah State after Two seasons ago, Tabor coached the school’s career three years of working with the secondary at Montana State. receptions leader Kevin Curtis, who was a third-round NFL Last season he worked closely with Mark Estelle, who was draft choice of St. Louis after the 2002 season. With Tabor’s named USU’s defensive MVP and played in the Rotary Grid- assistance, the Aggies ranked seventh in the NCAA in pass- iron Classic. ing offense in 2002. While at Montana State, Rushing was involved with a In 2001, Tabor led Culver-Stockton to a 6-5 record which defense that led the Big Sky Conference in total defense and was the school’s first winning season since 1986. pass defense in 2001 and 2002. During his one season at Culver-Stockton, Tabor’s offense In 2002, one of his players, Kane Ioane, was an unani- set school records for points scored (296), touchdowns (39), mous all-conference selection and Joey Thomas was an All- and total yards (4,003). His offense ranked third in the league American. MSU tied for the league championship in 2002 as in total offense (364.5), and fourth in rushing offense (193.2), well. passing offense (171.3), and scoring (26.9).

UTAH STATE FOOTBALL 60 COACHES SECTION BRIAN ARMSTRONG / JOHN ROBERTS

Defensively, Culver-Stockton ranked 17th in the NAIA in season as the head coach at Lake Gibson (Fla.) High School, total defense allowing where his team was 11-3 and won the district championship. 283.9 yards per game, He was named the district Coach of the Year in 2002. and 10th in pass defense Armstrong will continue to work closely with coach Jeff (138.4). Hoover with the offensive linemen. He came to USU for 2003 Prior to his stint as spring drills after an outstanding high school coaching ca- head coach at Culver- reer. Stockton, Tabor spent Before serving as the head coach at Lake Gibson, he four seasons at . was an assistant coach at the school for two seasons as those He coached the offen- teams compiled a 25-5 record. sive line as a graduate He started his coaching career at Western Montana in assistant for three years 1996 before moving to Morgan (Utah) High School in 1997 and served as a full-time and Townsend (Mont.) High School in 1998-99. assistant with the running The Tabor Family - Nikki, Paityn and Armstrong played on the offensive line at Western Mon- Chris backs. One season Mis- tana from 1992-95 and was an All-American as a senior as souri ranked in the top 10 in rushing offense. In addition, the well as a two-time all-conference selection. He also wrestled Tigers played in two bowl games. at Western Montana and his team won the national cham- Before joining the Missouri staff, Tabor spent two seasons pionship his sophomore year. at Central Methodist College where he was the offensive co- Armstrong, who graduated from Helena (Mont.) High ordinator and recruiting coordinator. School in 1992, earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary Tabor also served as running backs coach at Hutchinson education from Western Montana in 1998. Community College in 1994 and as an assistant coach at He was born Sept. 24, 1973 in Helena, Mont. and is mar- Benton High School in St. Joseph, Mo., in 1993. ried to Julie. Tabor was a three-year starter at quarterback at Benedictine (Kan.) College, where he earned a bachelor of John Roberts arts degree in 1993. He was an all-conference performer and team MVP when the Ravens won the HAAC championship and advanced to the NAIA national semifinals in 1992. He Graduate Asst. (Running Backs) acquired his master of arts degree in education from Colum- (Utah State, 2002) bia (Mo.) College in 1999. Third Year at Utah State He is married to the former Nikki Graves and the couple has one child, Paityn Nikkole.

Coaching Experience An inspirational leader on the football team during his 1993 Benton (Mo.) HS Assistant 1994 Hutchinson (Kan.) CC Running Backs four seasons at Utah State (1998-2001), John Roberts begins 1995-96 Central Methodist Off. Coordinator his third season on the Aggie football staff as the offensive 1997-99 Missouri Grad. Asst. graduate assistant in charge of running backs. 2000 Missouri Running Backs 2001 Culver-Stockton Head Coach Last year Roberts coached David Fiefia, who was a sec- 2002- Utah State Wide Receivers ond-team all-Big West running back and one of the top reciving backs in the nation. Playing Experience A former running back and key special teams performer 1989-92 Benedictine (Kan.) Quarterback for the Aggies, Roberts had his playing career shortened Education when he suffered a broken arm in the sixth game of his se- 1989 Benton HS St. Joseph’s, Mo. nior year against Idaho State. 1993 Benedictine B.A. in phys. ed. Roberts backed up two of the best running backs in 1999 Columbia (Mo.) College M.A. in education school history as he saw action behind Demario Brown, USU’s Personal all-time rushing leader, and Emmett White, the fifth-leading • Born March 4, 1971 in St. Joseph’s, Mo. rusher at USU. • Wife is the former Nikki Graves • Daughter Paityn Nikkole As a freshman, Roberts rushed for 313 yards on 86 car- ries, including a 118-yard game against Sam Houston State. As a sophomore he carried 30 times for 141 yards and in 2000 he rushed 26 times for 99 yards. Roberts excelled on special teams and was voted the Brian Armstrong team’s most inspirational player in 2000 and again in 2001. He also shared the team’s Golden Helmet Award in 2000. Graduate Asst. (Offensive Line) Roberts was born Feb. 19, 1980 in San Diego, Calif. (Western Montana, 1998) Second Year at Utah State

In his second year at Utah State as a graduate assistant coach is Brian Armstrong. Armstrong came to USU after one

UTAH STATE FOOTBALL 61 COACHES SECTION ALL-TIME ASSISTANT COACHES ALL-TIME ASSISTANT COACHES

Name Alma Mater Yrs. at USU Name Alma Mater Yrs. at USU Scott Ackerman Southern Utah State, 1970 1973-74 Don Norris Utah State, 1967 1967 Lance Anderson Idaho State, 1996 2004 Derrick Odum Utah, 1992 2000-02 Robin Andrea Washington, 1972 1983-84 Bob Owens LaVerne, 1970 1983-85 Paul Arslanian Northern Arizona, 1976 1998-99 John Pappas Utah State, 1969 1985 Jerry Attaway State, 1971 1976-77 Kraig Paulson Montana, 1987 2000-02 Kent Baer Utah State, 1973 1979-85 Gary Patterson Kansas State, 1982 1992-94 Rudy Basovsky Adams State, 1961 1967 Steve Peck UC-Riverside, 1969 1977-78 Pat Behrns Dakota State, 1972 1986-91 Utah State, 1966 1967-68, 72-82 Steve Bernstein Occidental, 1967 1970-72 Bob Petrino Carroll College, 1983 1995-97 Brian Billick Brigham Young, 1977 1986-88 Paul Petrino Carroll College, 1989 1995-97 Pat Blackburn Utah State, 1980 1983-84 George Porter San Jose State, 1952 1964-66 Fred Bleil Westmar, 1971 1986-91 Al Prukop So. California, 1961 1967-68 Bo Bolinger Oklahoma 1968 John Ramage Brigham Young, 1982 1985-91 Mark Brady Brigham Young, 1982 1998-99 Tom Ramage Utah State, 1957 1963-64 Gregg Brandon No. Colorado, 1978 1991 Pat Randolph West Virginia, 1988 1989 Larry Bryan Utah State, 1965 1975 David Reeves Montana, 1989 2000-03 Dick Bumpas Arkansas, 1972 1992-94 Roberto Rey Long Beach State, 1982 1985 Ray Butcher Utah State, 1961 1974-75 Jack Robinson Illinois, 1949 1974-75, 83-85 Ed Cavanaugh Duke, 1951 1967 Tommie Robinson Troy State, 1985 1992-93 Charles Chandler C. Washington, 1988 1995-97 Scott Runyan Wyoming, 1988 1992-94 Jeff Choate Western Montana, 1993 2003-04 John Rushing Washington State, 1995 2003-04 Bob Cole Widener, 1982 2000-04 Dwone Sanders McNeese State, 1990 1994 Darryl Collier Florida A&M, 1979 1992 San Jose State, 1969 1973-75 Jesse Cone Stanford, 1951 1969-72 Denny Schuler Oregon, 1969 1976-82 Walt Corey Miami 1967-69 Terry Shea Oregon, 1969 1976-83 Moe Cotter Pittsburgh State, 1962 1986-87 Chris Smeland Cal Poly SLO, 1974 1995-97 Mike Cox Idaho, 1989 1995-97 Doug Smith Pacific, 1952 1973-76 Nick Cuccia Utah State, 1967 1970 Oregon, 1963 1973 Dennis Darnell SW Missouri State, 1969 1991 Evan Sorenson Utah State, 1947 1955-60 Craig Dickenson Montana, 1995 2000 Chris Tabor Benedictine, 1993 2002-04 Dan Dodd Drake, 1978 1989-90 Mike Trevathan Montana, 1999 2000-01 Stan Eggen Moorhead State, 1976 1986-90 Mike Tuiasosopo Pacific Lutheran, 1989 1996-99 Mike Ellison Utah State, 1971 1972 Dave Tyler Utah State, 1978 1984 Gene Epley Indiana (Pa.), 1965 1967-68 Randy Tyson Utah State, 1963 1966 Jim Erkenbeck San Diego State, 1952 1967 Art Valero Boise State, 1981 1995-97 Rich Ericson Weber State, 1990 1998-99 Scott Wachenheim Air Force, 1984 1992-93 Doug Fiore Miami, 1975 1985-88 Dewey Wade Houston, 1959 1969-71 Carl Franks Montana, 1994 2000-02 DeWayne Walker Minnesota, 1981 1993 Jeff Fries Arizona, 1965 1970 Paul Wargo Arizona, 1968 1971-72 George Galli So. California, 1957 1965-66 Mike Waufle Utah State, 1979 1982-84 Keith Gilbertson C. Washington St., 1971 1977-81 Craig Wederquist Drake, 1983 1988-91 Rich Groth Utah, 1966 1971-72 Frank Williams Utah State, 1948 1960-62 Darrel Guthrie Utah State, 1951 1960 Joe Wood Oregon, 1973 1980-82 Oklahoma State, 1983 1992-94 Calvin Woodworth Oklahoma, 1956 1958-63 Garth Hall Utah State, 1968 1969-72 Cliff Yoshida Cal Poly Pomona, 1963 1970, 72 Norvel Hansen Utah State, 1949 1963-65 Cal Poly Pomona, 1976 1992-94 Tom Harrell Texas, 1947 1985 Wade Harman Drake, 1986 1989-91 Note: 1957-Present. Full-time coaches only. Donnie Henderson Utah State, 1979 1986-88 Artie Holmes Washington State, 1988 1995-97 Jeff Hoover UC Davis, 1991 2000-04 Cornell Jackson Sterling, 1986 1990-91 Jeff Jorgensen Utah State, 1972 1974-79 Lannie Julias San Jose State, 1964 1976-77 Utah State, 1991 1994-99 Eric Kiesau Portland State, 1986 2000-02 Idaho, 1939 1959-62 David Kotulski New Mexico State, 1975 2003-04 Phil Krueger SE Missouri, 1951 1963 Bill Laveroni California, 1970 1979-82 R. Todd Littlejohn Fresno State, 1989 1998-99 Mike Lynch Montana, 1999 2002-04 Terry Shea Bruce Synder Rod Marinelli Cal-Lutheran, 1972 1977-82 Greg Mark Miami, 1989 1995 John Math L.A. State, 1958 1964-66 Ralph Maughan Utah State, 1947 1951-66 Jim McAllister Whittier, 1961 1972-73 Max McCartney Whittier, 1958 1967-68 Gene McKeehan Utah State, 1968 1971-72, 83-94 Tom McMahon Carroll College, 1992 1998-2004 Henry Miller Northern Arizona, 1989 1998-99 Thurmond Moore San Jose State, 1978 1994 Steve Nejman Weber State, 1993 1998-99 Jack Nelson Gustavous Adolphus 1955-57 Jim Zorn

UTAH STATE FOOTBALL 62