Blake Anderson surprises by staying with ASU

If wagering on how long college football coaches stick around a particular school was a thing, Arkansas State University football Coach Blake Anderson thinks it's a safe bet few would have chosen the "over" for himself.

"Good to be back for the fourth year," Anderson said Monday at the Little Rock Touchdown Club podium. "A lot of you guys would have never bet on that one.

"I'm not going to ask for a show of hands, but I can promise you that more of you would have lost money than would have won money on whether or not I'd be back after four years."

Like a roulette wheel that has turned up black four consecutive times, coaching turnover at ASU was expected when Anderson became the program's fourth head coaching hire in four years on Dec. 19, 2013.

Instead, the spinning wheel in Jonesboro hasn't strayed from Anderson.

"I've been thrilled to death," ASU Athletic Director Terry Mohajir said. "I think we've seen more continuity as a result."

Since Anderson succeeded Bryan Harsin -- who now coaches at Boise State -- the number of ASU football players on scholarship has increased from 54 to 72, and Anderson became the first coach in program history to win 15 or more games in his first three seasons.

Anderson's five-year, $700,000-per-year deal included a clause where he would've had to pay ASU $3 million if he left within the first two seasons. The buyout clause remains, as Anderson will have to pay ASU $2 million if he leaves prior to Jan. 31, and $1 million if he leaves prior to Jan. 31, 2019.

Anderson's buyout was set after those of his predecessors grew exponentially: Hugh Freeze had to pay ASU $225,000 when he left for Ole Miss in 2011; Gus Malzahn had to pay $700,000 when he left for Auburn in 2012; and Harsin had to pay $1.75 million when he left for Boise State in 2013.

"At the end of the day, I don't think that really matters -- the buyout thing," Mohajir said. "What I've learned over the process, if someone really wants you, they'll figure it out."

Nationwide, the buyout amounts athletic departments paid for Group of 5 conference head coaches varied last offseason.

Minnesota paid P.J. Fleck's $600,000 buyout from Western Michigan, which had gone 13-1 with a New Year's Six Bowl berth in 2016; Oregon paid Willie Taggart's $1.6 million buyout from South Florida, which had gone 11-2 with a Birmingham Bowl victory; and Texas paid Tom Herman's $2.5 million buyout from Houston, which had gone 9-4 a year after going 13-1 with a Peach Bowl victory.

Anderson, whose team started 0-4 but won the Cure Bowl last season, had a buyout that fell on the higher end of that range.

Mohajir said he thought Anderson's tenure has more to do with timing.

"I think some of the previous coaches had a connection back to those schools that they went to," he said. "Ole Miss, Hugh [Freeze] was there. Gus [Malzahn] was at Auburn at one time. Bryan Harsin, obviously at Boise State. So I think there just really hasn't been that really strong connection back to the openings of the schools that may have been open at the time."

In December, Anderson was named in a report that linked him to negotiations for the Baylor vacancy, which came after the program fired Art Briles after the numerous assault incidents and allegations -- both sexual and physical in nature -- that involved members of the Bears football program.

Anderson, a former Baylor quarterback and receiver, said then that he had not been contacted about any coaching vacancies.

This season, North Carolina is 1-7 under Coach Larry Fedora, and Anderson was Fedora's offensive coordinator at North Carolina from 2012-2013.

"People always tried to estimate when I was coming and when I was going," Anderson said Monday. "I kept telling guys, 'I'm right where God wants me to be.' I'm right where I want to be, and I absolutely love it."

As Anderson insists his future is somewhat out of his hands, Mohajir said he is preparing for a time when Anderson voluntarily leaves.

"Change is inevitable," Mohajir said. "That's why building a program is important. With our infrastructure, our programs, our services, [building a program] is absolutely paramount in what we're trying to do."

On Mohajir's checklist remains the renovation project for Centennial Bank Stadium's north end zone, which the university announced in June. The athletic department has not determined a cost for the project, but it will include a new team locker room, a new weight room and rehabilitation area, position meeting rooms, a players lounge and academic rooms. The concourse area will include outdoor loge boxes and terrace seating areas to boost revenue with premium ticket holders.

"I don't think that there's anything in the G-5 level that's going to out-recruit us when it comes to facilities," said Mohajir, referring to Group of 5 football programs. "And we just need to do a few things to enhance our position."

For now, Mohajir can work with a consistent football program in its fourth year -- which, as Anderson said, not many would have bet on.

Should people bet on a fifth year?

"Oh, I think so," Anderson said. "They should. I told them a long time ago, 'You're going to have to run me out of town.' We're having a blast. I mean, we've got so much work left to do.

"There'll come a point and time when I leave. Either they'll push me out of town, or God will pick us up and move us out of town. But right now, that's the farthest thing from my mind."

Sports on 10/25/2017