Coach Dennehy Relieved of Duties by Utah State University

Utah State University director of athletics Randy Spetman has announced that head football coach Mick Dennehy will no longer serve as the Aggies' head coach effective at the end of the season. Utah State has two games remaining including a Thursday night game at Arkansas State this week (Nov. 11) and the home finale against New Mexico State on Nov. 20.

 

Dennehy is in his fifth season at Utah State, where he has compiled an 18-36 record, including a 2-7 mark so far this year. Utah State was 5-6 in his first season in 2000 before posting back-to-back 4-7 marks in 2001 and 2002 and a 3-9 record in 2003.

 

The 54-year old coach has one more year remaining on his contract extension which was made after the 2001 season. That contract will be honored by the university.

 

"While we haven't had the winning success that we have hoped for, I am very appreciative of the dedication from Mick and his family to the program, including in the areas of academics and the

welfare of our student-athletes," Spetman said.

 

Dennehy has been a college head coach for 12 years with stints at Western Montana from 1988-90, Montana from 1996-99 and Utah State from 2000-2004. He was 10-13 at Western Montana, 39-12 at Montana and 18-36 at Utah State.

 

Dennehy took over a Utah State program that had gone 3-8 and 4-7 in two years under Dave Arslanian. In his first year he went 5-6, including a 4-1 record in the Big West Conference as the Aggies finished second in the league behind Boise State.

 

In three years of conference play under his direction (the Aggies were independent in 2001 and 2002), Utah State has been 8-9, including a 6-2 home mark and a 2-7 road record.

 

Utah State played eight games against nationally-ranked teams in the last four seasons. Under his guidance Utah State produced four of the top 11 total offense games in school history as well as four of the top six passing games in Utah State history. However, this year the Aggies are averaging just 280.33 yards per game to rank 112th in the nation, while the defense is allowing 397.78 yards per game to rank 77th nationally.

 

Dennehy was named the Aggies head coach on Dec. 3, 1999, becoming the 24th coach in the 113 years of Utah State football. His five seasons at Utah State are tied for the sixth most in school history, while his 18 wins are tied for ninth.

 

Utah State's staff includes Lance Anderson (linebackers), Jeff Choate (special teams/safeties), Bob Cole (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Jeff Hoover (offensive line), David Kotulski (defensive coordinators/linebackers), Mike Lynch (tight ends), Tom McMahon (defensive line), John Rushing (secondary), Chris Tabor (assistant head coach/wide receivers), and graduate assistants Brian Armstrong (offensive line) and John Roberts (running backs).

 

Utah State Head Football Coach Mick Dennehy Statement:

 

"(Utah State director of athletics) Randy Spetman has an incredibly tough job with his biggest priority being the building of facilities. I completely understand his decision and only wish that

I could have done more to help him with this major undertaking.

 

"Sheila and I have thoroughly enjoyed our relationship with Utah State University and the people of Cache Valley. Coming to work every day was a pleasure because of the quality of the people we had an opportunity to work with. I would especially like to thank the coaches and the players for all of their effort.

 

"For the many records we set on the field and the tremendous amount of improvement the kids have made academically and off the field, we struggled in the bottom line and wins and losses are important. In the end, we didn't win enough.

 

"I would like to wish Utah State University the best in the future."

 

To see Mick Dennehy Year-By-Year As Head Coach see the football Web page.

 

Read Randy Spetman's comments.

 

 

Contact: Mike Strauss, (435) 797-1361, Cell: 770-3131