Dec. 27, 2008

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State head football coach Gary Andersen announced Saturday that Alex Gerke (pronounced gur-Key) has been named the Aggies' new offensive line coach. Gerke, who comes to USU from Hawai'i, becomes the fourth offensive assistant to join Andersen's staff.

"Alex has spent years coaching the spread offense, so he is very knowledgeable and well-rounded on the type of offense we're going to run here at Utah State," Andersen said. "He is an excellent offensive line coach and an exceptional recruiter, with significant experience recruiting the state of Utah, California, as well as Polynesian players in addition to all over the country. His coaching beliefs are the same as mine as far as taking quality care of the current players in the program and recruiting high-caliber players for our program."

Gerke joins offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin, running backs coach Ilaisa Tuiaki (pronounced E-lye-sa Too-ee-ah-kee) and quarterbacks coach Kevin McGiven on the USU staff.

"I can't wait to work with Gary Andersen," Gerke said. "I think that Utah State has the right guy for their program. He understands Utah and knows what type of players to recruit here to make a successful program. He's a high-energy, very detailed coach and he understands this business very well. I look forward to being a spoke in the wheel as we get the USU program rolling towards continued success."

Andersen completed his defensive staff earlier this month with the additions of linebackers coach Kevin Clune and defensive line coach Chad Kauha'aha'a (pronounced Cow-ha-a-ha-a), who were also Weber State assistants. The other two defensive coaches are new defensive coordinator Bill Busch, while retaining John Rushing as USU's cornerbacks coach.

Gerke is familiar with the Western Athletic Conference, spending the past season at Hawai'i, where he coached the running backs and assisted with the offensive line, helping guide the Warriors to a 7-7 record, losing to Notre Dame, 49-21, in the Hawai'i Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 24.

Prior to his stint at Hawai'i, Gerke spent two seasons at Weber State, where coached the offensive line with McGiven, who was the Wildcats' offensive coordinator at the time. At Weber State, Gerke also coached with current USU linebackers coach Kevin Clune and defensive line coach Chad Kauha'aha'a.

"I'm excited to be back in Utah," Gerke said. "I have a strong affinity for the state, I love it. I'm extremely honored to help Utah State achieve its goals for success."

While at Hawai'i, Gerke helped coach three-time first-team all-WAC honoree John Estes, who this past season was on the Rimington Award Watch List for best center, the Outland Trophy Watch List for best interior lineman and the Lombardi Award Watch List for best lineman/linebacker. Estes was a three-time Rimington Award Watch List member.

At Hawai'i, Gerke also coached running back Daniel Libre, who in limited action, led UH with 443 yards on 99 carries and six TD's.

At Weber State Gerke coached right tackle Dave Hale, who earned All-America honors for Football Championship Subdivision (former Division I-AA) and Dimitri Tsoumpas, the second overall pick in the 2008 Canadian Football League Draft. The Wildcat offensive line allowed only 12 sacks and their offense featured the Big Sky's leading rusher.

Gerke's coaching career began in 1985 at South High School in Salt Lake City, where he coached both the offensive and defensive line. The following year, he went to Golden West Junior College to serve as the assistant offensive line coach and weight training coach.

In 1994, Gerke returned to the state of Utah where he coached the offensive and defensive line at East High School in Salt Lake City. The next year, he was a guest coach with the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders before returning to coach the offensive and defensive lines at Hunter High School in Salt Lake City for three years.

Gerke served as a graduate assistant for Utah in 1998, coaching the Utes' offensive tackles and tight ends for two seasons. In 2000, he joined the Cal Poly staff as offensive line coach, mentoring All-American Dustin Kroeker. The Mustangs ranked 15th in Division I-AA in passing offense and quarterback Seth Burford ranked sixth in passing efficiency.

Gerke's stint with Cal Poly was a short one as the following year he returned to Utah's staff to serve as offensive line coach for two years. Gerke returned to Golden West in 2004 before moving to Weber State in 2006.

Additionally, Gerke has also coached several players who have earned All-America accolades and have gone on to play professionally. Notables include Jordan Gross (Utah), a 2003 first round draft choice of the Carolina Panthers and Outland Trophy runner-up. Chris Kemoeatu (Utah) was a sixth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers while Ed Taamu (Utah) was a 2002 fourth round pick by Minnesota. Glen Parker (Golden West JC), an All-American at Arizona, later played for the New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs. Alfred Pupunu (South High) was a member of the San Diego Chargers Super Bowl team and also played for the Chiefs and Giants.

Gerke, a native of Westminster, Calif., was a two-year starter on the offensive line at Golden West Junior College in 1980-81. In 1982 he signed with Utah where he was a two-year offensive lineman.

Utah State finished the 2008 season with a 3-9 overall and 3-5 WAC record, marking the first time since 2005 that the Aggies have three wins in a season. USU won three WAC games in a season for the first time in the Aggies' four seasons in the league. It is also the first time since 2003 that USU won three conference games and just the third time in the 2000's.

The Aggies return 47 letterwinners (24 offense, 20 defense and three special teams) after losing 12 lettermen (five offense, seven defense) among the 17 seniors from this season's roster.

-USU-