COVID-19 continues to affect and directly impact the sports world. Isolation and frequent testing do seem to have helped curb the spread of the novel Coronavirus. However, confirmed cases have still happened.
Arkansas State's Anderson had COVID-19
Arkansas State University's football team, nicknamed the Red Wolves, recently had an outbreak of COVID-19. Indicators are that the players have recovered and, at least so far, aren't experiencing major complications from the disease.
The multitude of cases led to the postponement of two games, as noted by ESPN.
One was against the University of Central Arkansas. The other was the University of Tulsa. However, players on the team weren't the only ones to develop COVID-19. Cases of confirmed infections included the team's head coach, Blake Anderson. He tested positive shortly after Arkansas State's upset victory against Kansas State University. Possibly one of the biggest wins in the history of the Red Wolves' football program.
But whatever euphoria that might've come from the win was quickly followed by different feelings. Anderson would become sick after contracting the novel coronavirus. He reportedly battled it for about 10 days. Since then, he has recovered and is back with the team.
Anderson is at least the third NCAA Division I FBS head coach confirmed to have had COVID-19.
Blake Anderson's case happened at roughly the same time as Florida State University's Mike Norvell. Their positive test results followed the University of Toledo's Jason Candle. But there may yet be more cases out there. Be the past, present, or future. According to CBS, there have been reports that Chip Kelly had COVID-19 earlier in 2020.
Kelly is the head coach at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Anderson is a native of Jonesboro, Arkansas
Blake Anderson was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, the location of Arkansas State University. He graduated from high school in Hubbard, Texas. Afterward, he played Division I football with two universities in Texas.
First, with Baylor University in Waco. Secondly, with Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.
His first Division I coaching job was as a running backs coach at the University of New Mexico. Later, he became the school's wide receivers coach. Ensuring coaching positions included serving as an offensive coordinator at three universities. Among them, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Since becoming the Arkansas State head coach, Anderson has led the Red Wolves to two Sun Belt Conference Championships. They've also won two bowl games.
