LOGAN — Utah State football coach Mick Dennehy took offense at his team's defense Sunday. After three consecutive seasons of being ranked 105th or worse in the nation, Dennehy announced that defensive coordinator Kraig Paulson and special teams coach Carl Franks, who also assisted with USU's defense, had been released from their coaching duties.
"Looking at the defensive side of the ball, we are in dire need of an injection of new life," Dennehy said in a statement. "We will search for that new life immediately."
Paulson, who just completed his third year directing the Aggies' defense, followed Dennehy to Logan from Montana. While with the Grizzlies, Paulson coordinated a defensive unit that in 1999 led the Big Sky Conference in every defensive category.
"I have always had tremendous respect for Kraig and I still do," Dennehy said. "However, our defense has not improved and progressed like it needs to, and I feel strongly that a change of direction is needed."
In addition to serving as defensive coordinator, Paulson also devoted time to working with USU's line (2000) and safeties (2001, 2002). As a team, the Aggies ranked 111th nationally in total defense. Two years ago USU ranked 110th before a modest improvement to 105th in 2001.
Franks, a former star for Dennehy at Montana, also failed to find much success in Logan. He directed a special teams squad that had five punts blocked over the past two seasons. Defensively, he assisted with the secondary.
"Carl was a heck of a player for us at Montana, but his move to coaching just has not worked as well as we hoped it would," said Dennehy.
The Aggies, 4-7as a Division I-A independent, will compete in the Sun Belt Conference next year.
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