Anderson began his playing career as a quarterback and wide receiver at Baylor University from 1987 to 1989, but tore his ACL during practice. After his recovery, he chose to transfer to Sam Houston State University where he played as a wide receiver for the Bearkats from 1989 to 1991. At Sam Houston State, he was named to the Southland Conference All-Academic team as a senior. During his college days, he played in the I formation and Veer offenses popular at the time.[4] Sam Houston State defensive coordinator Mike Lucas told Anderson that he believed he was suited for a coaching role.[5]
Before the 1999 season, he joined New Mexico as running backs coach under Rocky Long and served in that position until 2000. During the 2001 season, he took the wide receivers coaching position. During the 2000 season his rushing attack averaged 148 yards per game which accounted for 56% of the team's offensive production.[citation needed]
Middle Tennessee (2002–2004)
In 2002 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders coach Andy McCollum hired Anderson to serve as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach in replacement of Larry Fedora who had left for Florida. At Middle Tennessee he was exposed to variations of the hurry-up offense which dramatically changed his outlook.[4] The Blue Raiders passing offense increased each year under his tenure, improving from 154.0 yards per game in 2002 to 226.7 in 2003 and 267.7 in 2004. Anderson's offense led the Sun Belt Conference in scoring offense in 2003 and saw the school's first 1,000 yard receiver in 2004. After leaving Middle Tennessee he left coaching for three years for a stint in private business.[6]
Louisiana–Lafayette (2007)
Anderson was hired by Coach Rickey Bustle as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns for the 2007 football season, replacing Rob Christophel. Anderson's offense churned out over 250 yards per game on the ground, making it the #6 ranked rushing offense in the nation. The 2007 Ragin' Cajuns became the Sun Belt's first ever 3,000-yard rushing team.[citation needed]
When Fedora left Southern Miss for the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2012 he took Anderson along as his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. In his inaugural season with the Tar Heels, Anderson oversaw an offense that produced 485.6 yards per game, setting over 35 school records, and ending the campaign ranked eighth in the nation in scoring. During the 2013 campaign his offense gained 432.4 yards per game.[8]
Arkansas State (2014–2020)
Anderson was announced as Arkansas State's head coach on December 19, 2013. He became Arkansas State's fifth head coach in five years, replacing Bryan Harsin who had left for Boise State.[9][10] Arkansas State played in 6 consecutive bowl games and won 2 Sun Belt conference championships under Anderson.
Utah State (2021–2023)
On December 12, 2020, Anderson was hired to be the head coach at Utah State University, replacing Gary Andersen.[11] In his first season, he guided the team to an 11–3 record, winning the Mountain West championship against San Diego State and the inaugural LA Bowl against Oregon State. His second and third seasons saw the Aggies regress to back-to-back 6–7 records, both ending in bowl losses.
Utah State announced its intention to fire Anderson on July 2, 2024, prior to the start of the 2024 football season, which was made formal on July 18.[12][13] Following an internal investigation, he was alleged to have been non-compliant with university rules regarding the reporting of complaints of sexual misconduct. Defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling succeeded Anderson as interim head coach.[14][15]
Return to Southern Miss (2025– )
On December 13, 2024, Anderson was named the returning offensive coordinator on new head coach Charles Huff's staff.[1]
Anderson married his first wife, Wendy, in 1992. They had three children together: sons Coleton and Cason, and daughter Callie.[18] Wendy died on August 20, 2019, at the age of 49, after public battle with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Defensive coordinator David Duggan coached the team during Anderson's leave.[19][20] Following his move to Utah State, Anderson married the former Brittany King in 2021 and adopted her two daughters Collins and Ellison. Further tragedy struck in February 2022 when Cason Anderson died by suicide at the age of 21.[18]
