Arkansas State University football head coach Blake Anderson will be taking a leave of absence, university officials announced today.
Anderson is taking the leave of absence from the university’s football program to care for his wife, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017.
“Coach Anderson has decided to take a leave of absence during this difficult time to be with his wife, Wendy, and his family. We will continue to pray for peace for his family and provide assistance any way we can,” A-State Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Terry Mohajir said in a statement.
During Anderson’s absence, assistant head coach and defensive coordinator David Duggan will be serving as the interim head coach. Mohajir said that Duggan will serve in the role “until Coach Anderson decides to resume his activities as head coach…we will obviously respect and honor any amount of time he needs before he feels he can return.”
The Arkansas State Athletics Department has issued the following statement from Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Terry Mohajir, announcing that head football coach Blake Anderson is taking a leave of absence. pic.twitter.com/EgRXQyAF4B
— Arkansas State Athletics (@AStateRedWolves) August 19, 2019
Coming from North Carolina, Anderson was named A-State’s head coach on Dec. 19, 2013. Since that time, he has lead the program to five bowl game appearances (2018 Arizona Bowl, 2017 Camellia Bowl, 2016 Cure Bowl, 2015 New Orleans Bowl and 2014 GoDaddy Bowl)and Sun Belt Conference championships in 2015 and 2016.
He is the school’s 30th head football coach and has a 39-25win-loss record.
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Image courtesy of A-State Athletics Department