LOGAN — Citing "philosophical differences" with Utah State football coach Brent Guy, Mike Santiago resigned as the offensive coordinator for the Aggies Monday.
"It is a bad situation and there really is no way to define it other than it is a tough business and you have to sometimes do things," Guy said. "It was a mutual decision and Mike and I felt like we couldn't go on the same way and he offered his resignation and I accepted it."
His resignation comes two days after the Aggies (0-4) were shut out 38-0 at BYU. It was the third straight game the Aggies were shut out and the fourth game that the offense was held without a touchdown.
"I wish the student-athletes all the best in their futures here at Utah State and beyond," Santiago said in a prepared statement.
The Aggies rank last in the nation (119th) in total offense (179.50 points per game) and in points scored (1.75 points per game). The Aggies also rank 105th in rushing offense (86.00) and 116th in passing offense (93.50).
"I would like to take this time to say how much I respect the work, leadership and especially the friendship of (USU athletic director) Colonel Randy Spetman," Santiago said.
In Santiago's first year with the Aggies, the team averaged 317 yards per game while scoring nearly 19 points a game.
Guy made the announcement to the team Sunday night.
"It was a big shock to all of us. We wish coach Santiago the best of luck and hope he finds his place. We can't really dwell on it," Utah State wide receiver Tarell Richards said. "We have had enough adversity this preseason. All we can do is move forward and whatever we have to do and whatever we need to do offensively and changes that need to be made, we need to do."
Stevens, who was the wide receivers coach prior to the promotion, was the offensive coordinator at Stephen F. Austin from 2002-2004 when Santiago was the head coach. Both came to Utah State in 2005 when Guy was hired to replace Mick Dennehy, who was fired.
"I am confident that he can do that (run the offense)," Guy said. "He has been a coordinator before. He has coached quarterbacks before and he was a quarterback in college."
In his final year at SFA, the Lumberjacks, a I-AA team, averaged 371.7 yards per game.
Stevens, a native of Ephraim, Utah, played quarterback at Snow College for two seasons (1988-89) before concluding his collegiate career at Easter Oregon.
"The biggest thing we need to do is move forward and get this offense in the end zone somehow, early in the Idaho game," Guy said.
The Aggies host the Vandals Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Western Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
E-mail: jhinton@desnews.com