USC is scheduled to play the Utah State Aggies on September 7, the second week of the season. The Aggies will travel to Los Angeles without their head coach. The Utah State athletic department issued a statement regarding head coach Blake Anderson:

“Utah State University officials notified Head Football Coach Blake Anderson on Tuesday of their intent to terminate his employment agreement due to actions taken in the spring of 2023. These actions violated both his employment agreement and university policies. According to his employment agreement, Coach Anderson has 14 days to respond.”

“This decision was made following a thorough external review of alleged noncompliance with university policies implementing Title IX, which requires full and timely reporting of disclosures of sexual misconduct – including domestic violence – and prohibits employees from investigating disclosures of sexual misconduct themselves.”

“Assistant Vice President and Associate Athletic Director for External Relations Jerry Bovee (interim athletic director, 2023) and Utah State Football Director of Player Development and Community Austin Albrecht were also terminated for violations of university policies related to reporting sexual and domestic violence and violation of professional duties.”

“In accordance with Utah's public records laws and USU policy, the university cannot release further information until all opportunities for response and/or appeal have expired, which is at least 14 days.”

The game against Utah State comes between two of USC's biggest competitions, in Las Vegas against LSU in Week 1 and in Ann Arbor against Michigan in Week 3.

According to sources, Blake Anderson is not expected to return as coach.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 2, 2024

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