McGiven named assistant coach at Memphis

LOGAN, Utah – Utah State football head coach Gary Andersen announced Tuesday that former USU quarterbacks coach Kevin McGiven has left the USU coaching staff to join the University of Memphis staff, where he will serve as passing game coordinator for the Tigers. McGiven was with Andersen and the Aggies for one season, serving as USU’s quarterbacks coach in addition to recruiting coordinator. “Kevin is a good football coach, and he did a tremendous job with the development of Diondre Borel this season, mentoring him into having one of the better seasons for a Utah State quarterback, setting a school record for total offense along the way. Under Coach McGiven and offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin’s tutelage, Diondre also set a school record and was among the nation’s leaders for fewest interceptions thrown,” Andersen said. “Losing an assistant coach is part of this profession. It’s what happens when you have a young, talented coach such as Kevin.” With USU last season, McGiven mentored USU junior quarterback Diondre Borel, who led the Western Athletic Conference in total offense and ranked 17th in Football Bowl Subdivion (FBS), with 278.6 ypg. He was also third in the WAC in passing average per game with 240.4 ypg and fifth in the league and 37th in the nation in passing efficiency with 137.8. Borel’s 3,343 yards of total offense is a USU single-season record, topping the previous mark of 3,260 yards by Anthony Calvillo in 1993. Borel’s 2,885 passing yards ranks as the No. 7 mark on USU’s single-season passing list and is the most since Jose Fuentes’ school-record 3,268 yards in 2002. With 17 TD passes, Borel is tied for No. 9 on USU’s single-season TD pass list with Ron Lopez (1991). Borel only threw four interceptions this season, a school record for fewest INT’s, which is tied for the second-fewest in FBS this season. McGiven helped coach a USU offense that amassed a school-record 5,272 yards of total offense, including 2,311 rushing yards, the most since 2,701 in 1974 as well as 2,961 passing yards, most since 3,388 in 2002. The Aggies’ 439.3 yards per game of total offense ranks as No. 4 in school history. McGiven came to USU after three seasons as offensive coordinator at Weber State, helping the Wildcats to a share of the 2008 Big Sky Conference title and advancing to the quarterfinals of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs. Andersen also announced that current tight ends coach T. J. Woods will take over as USU’s recruiting coordinator. Andersen hopes to have McGiven’s replacement in place in the coming weeks. “I’m looking for a young, excited coach to step in here. We have a lot to offer here at Utah State, with a tremendous University and community, as well as fantastic facilities and an up-and-coming football program,” Andersen said. “One of my philosophies is to look within our program first, including graduate assistants.” Utah State finished Andersen’s first year at the helm of the USU program with a 4-8 mark, the Aggies’ most wins since 2002. Utah State was 3-5 in WAC action, matching last season for top conference record in USU’s five seasons in the league. Andersen and the Aggies will return 45 letterwinners (21 offense, 22 defense, two special teams), including 17 starters (eight offense, seven defense, two special teams). -USU-

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