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Richard E. Anderson (born July 29, 1941) is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Rutgers University from 1984 to 1989, compiling a record of 28–33–4. His highlight victory during that span was 21–16 win over Penn State in 1988—Rutgers' first win over the Nittany Lions in 70 years. He played college football at Penn State, and served there as an assistant football coach for many years under Joe Paterno.

Playing career

Anderson, a native of Queens, New York, played tight end and defensive end at Penn State for coach Rip Engle from 1960 to 1962. He played in the 1961 and 1962 Gator Bowls and also captained the Nittany Lions baseball team. Anderson earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from Penn State in 1963. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the 29th round of the 1963 American Football League draft and by the Cleveland Browns in the 17th round of the NFL draft, but Anderson opted to remain at Penn State as a graduate assistant while earning his master's degree and playing for the semi-pro Newark Bears on the weekends.

Coaching career

Anderson's first full-time coaching job was as an assistant at Lafayette College under future Philadelphia Eagles General Manager Harry Gamble, whom he then followed to the University of Pennsylvania in 1970. He returned to Penn State in 1973 at the invitation of head coach Joe Paterno. In his next 11 seasons as the Nittany Lions' offensive line coach, Anderson established himself as one of college football's best. Five of his players were named All-Americans: John Nessel, Tom Rafferty, Keith Dorney, Bill Dugan, and Sean Farrell; and a steady stream of Nittany Lion linemen went on to the NFL, including Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Munchak.

In 1984, he accepted the head coaching job at Rutgers where his six-year on-field record was 27–34–4. His best season was 1984, when the Scarlet Knights finished 7–3. Anderson was relieved of his duties at Rutgers in 1990 and returned to Penn State to resume duties as the team's offensive line coach. In 1993 Anderson moved to quarterbacks coach, following Jim Caldwell's departure to accept the head coaching job at Wake Forest. He returned to coaching the offensive line when Jay Paterno became coach of quarterbacks in 1999. Anderson was not retained after the arrival of new coach Bill O'Brien.

Relationship with Jerry Sandusky

Anderson maintains a close personal relationship with former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. He testified at Sandusky's child sex abuse trial that it was not uncommon for assistant coaches and minors to be in the showers at the same time at the Lasch Football Complex.

Head coaching record

References

1. "Rutgers Football Coaches Records". Rutgers Athletics Communications. Archived from the original on August 4, 2008. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
2. "Dick Anderson Profile". Penn State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on October 18, 2007. Retrieved October 18, 2007.
3. ^ Penn State Football Yearbook, 1993. Penn State Department of Sports Information. p. 150.
4. Steve Sampsell. "Dick Anderson Interview". The Daily Collegian (Penn State).
5. Weiss, Dick (June 18, 2012). "Prosecution rests in Jerry Sandusky case, former Penn State coach Dick Anderson testifies it wasn't uncommon for coaches or staff to share shower area with boys". New York Daily News. Retrieved March 14, 2013.

• 1941 births
• Living people
• Lafayette Leopards football coaches
• Penn Quakers football coaches
• Rutgers Scarlet Knights football coaches
• Penn State Nittany Lions baseball players
• Penn State Nittany Lions football players
• Penn State Nittany Lions football coaches
• Players of American football from Queens, New York