Show 1 ApsIfflffllanlES'ti seiTfosilfflrfl at Utah $f Former Weber State Wildtat now an Aggie By Shawn Harrison sports writer transition has 'been smooth He got to watch the A new em is about to begin at Utah State — the Dave Anlanian era Head coach Anlanian officially took over the Aggie helm last December after (pending 17 lea-son-s at Weber State as an auistant and hfcad coach He became the 23rd Aggie head coach when John L Smith left for Louisville “Weber State was my life for 17 yean and I didn’t think I could ever leave but it was an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up” said Anlanian just after being introduced as die new Aggie coach “The timing was just right” Anlanian the winningest coach in Weber State history with 33 victories inherds a program thaiput together winning aeaaons for the first time since 1980 and won consecutive league titles for the first time since 1978 and 1979 USU went 6-- 6 overall and 4--1 in league action in 1997 Anlanian will taste Division I football for the first time since being a graduate assistant at Arizona State in 1973 “There are more good players but I won’t say better until we get into the season” answered Anlanian recently when asked about the differences between USU and Weber State “Then is some good talent hen “I’m nally pleased with the rookie class we recruited We have some real talented youngsters The last time I remember recruiting such a talented rookie class was at Arizona State” Anlanian a don friend and farmer teammate of former USU head coach John L Smith said the team So is he out of his comfort zone being at the Aggie helm? “Football is football” he answered “The football back-to-ba- ck preparations for the Humanitarian Bowl last December which enabled him to get to know the jrers have helped ease the transition have hard and listened You always fed pressure There are lots of different kinds of pressure the greatest being the kind you put on yourself” The Anlanian era gets started Sept 3 when Utah comes to Romney Stadium It will be his 101st game as a head coach in the Aggies 101st season of collegiate football “That’s a very important game for us and John L hasn’t made it easy for us” Anlanian said with a smile referring to the Aggies having beat Utah the past two seasons “I think maybe it’s expected that we win” The schedule doesn't get any easier for the new head coach with road games at New Mexico (Sept 12) Colorado (Sept 19) and Washington (Oct 10) “I haven’t looked at the schedule very often I keep trying to forget what’s out there for us” Anlanian joked Then he admitted “Nah I’ve got that locked in my brain “The players are excited about the challenge No coach goes into a season thinking we will win this one and lore that one That is somebody else’s job We or to say a team is going to be look at a season and say we want to go I ce UUak a a - Nm NMonmMntiwmi First-yeUtah State head football coach Dave Arslanian talks to his Aggie team alter a practice In preparation for die 1996 aeaaon ar See COACH on Page 7 llWATHLETICS vmm jackets Gordon Robbins 753-012- 3 Logan Matt Robbins 563-345- 6 Southfield All Men's & Women's Styles Available logon It'S Fun 2 ItJfome instate XNErBDipiOa nwvvv TO The Best Quality Jacket Made Sky View M: Orest Shop At |