I’m very thankful that Coach Andersen and Oregon State has presented me this opportunity. I’m excited to be able to contribute to the growth of the school, program and the football team in whatever capacity possible. Go Beavs! – Chuckie Keeton
Chuckie Keeton is going back to college football.
No, the former Utah State quarterback doesn't have any eligibility left following an injury-plagued career in Logan. Keeton, along with another former Aggie, Funaki Asisi, will join the coaching staff at Oregon State, the school announced Wednesday.
Keeton and Asisi both played under Gary Andersen in Logan, where the Salt Lake City native and University of Utah alum was the head coach from 2009-2012 before leaving to become coach at Wisconsin.
“These young men will be outstanding role models for our student-athletes and understand what it takes to be successful in our program on and off the field,” Andersen said in a statement. “We’re excited to welcome them to our team and look forward to their contributions.”
Specific coaching roles for Keeton and Asisi were not announced.
Last season was Andersen's first with the Beavers, who finished 2-10 overall and were the only team to go winless in Pac-12 play.
Most recently, Keeton earned a tryout with the Houston Texans in the team's rookie minicamp following last month's NFL draft. The Texans did not sign Keeton, who was the Texans' only quarterback in minicamp, giving him an extended amount of reps. The Houston Chronicle's Aaron Wilson reported prior to the draft that Keeton received interest from the Texans, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings.
He finished his USU career in 2015 with 7,393 passing yards and 62 touchdown passes to go along with 1,415 rushing yards and 16 more touchdowns on the ground. As a sophomore, his only year not marked by injuries, Keeton threw for 3,373 yards and 27 touchdowns, with 619 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He threw for 18 touchdowns to just two interceptions in six games to start the 2013 season before injuries derailed the remainder of his time in Logan.
“I’m very thankful that Coach Andersen and Oregon State has presented me this opportunity,” Keeton said in a statement. “I’m excited to be able to contribute to the growth of the school, program and the football team in whatever capacity possible. Go Beavs!”
Asisi, who played on the offensive line for Utah State from 2007-2011, was an offensive graduate assistant at Utah State last season. He also spent one year as a grad assistant for academics at USU and was an assistant coach at Logan High for another season since graduating with a bachelor’s degree in health education.
“My wife (Lindsay) and I could not be more excited to be a part of a great university and football program,” Asisi said in a statement. “I have had the pleasure of either working with or being coached by many of the current staff. I have no doubts in their abilities and I expect great things. It is a blessing to have the opportunity to contribute to the process and I can’t wait to help build the dam!”
Keeton, Asisi and Andersen won't have a return trip to Utah this season, though. Oregon State's contest against Pac-12 foe Utah this season will be at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon, on Oct. 15.
Ryan McDonald is a sports reporter at DeseretNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanwmcdonald.