 Sanders visits the Kentucky Army National Guard in 2010. | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 22, 1965 Morristown, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1984–1988 | Tennessee |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1989–1990 | Tennessee (QB) |
| 1991–1992 | Tennessee (WR) |
| 1993–1998 | Tennessee (RB/RC) |
| 1998–2005 | Tennessee (OC/QB) |
| 2006–2008 | Kentucky (QB) |
| 2009–2012 | Kentucky (OC/QB) |
| 2013–2017 | Florida State (co-OC/QB) |
| 2018–2021 | East Tennessee State |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 26–16 |
| Tournaments | 1–1 (NCAA D-I playoffs) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| SoCon (2018, 2021) | |
| Awards | |
| SoCon Coach of the Year (2018, 2021) | |
Randy Sanders (born September 22, 1965) is a former American football coach.
He is the only person to have been a part of both the first and last Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Champions, having been quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for the University of Tennessee in the first (1998) and quarterbacks coach for Florida State University in the last (2013).
As quarterbacks coach at University of Kentucky, Sanders' guidance helped André Woodson develop from an inconsistent performer into one of the top quarterbacks in the nation.[1][2] In 2013 at Florida State, Sanders led Jameis Winston to become the youngest player to win a Heisman Trophy and led the Seminoles to a 14–0 record and a national championship.
On December 17, 2017, Sanders was named the head football coach at ETSU. [3] During his time as head coach, he led the Buccaneers to two SoCon regular season championships and two FCS playoff appearances. Sanders was also awarded SoCon Coach of the Year in 2018 and 2021. During the 2021 season, Sanders led ETSU to a 23–3 victory over FBS school Vanderbilt,[4] and the first 10-win regular season since bringing back football from a decade long hiatus. In the 2021 FCS Playoffs, ETSU received a 7 seed and faced Kennesaw State in the second round. After pulling off a miraculous 4th quarter comeback victory led by quarterback Tyler Riddell, the Bucs defeated Kennesaw State 32–31 and earned their first FCS playoff victory since 1996.[5] The season came to an end a week later when the Bucs lost to North Dakota State in the FCS quarterfinals. On December 13, 2021, Sanders announced his retirement from football.[6]
- ^ "Randy Sanders profile". University of Kentucky. Archived from the original on September 24, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2010.
- ^ "Randy Sanders". Rivals.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2010. Retrieved February 12, 2010.
- ^ "Randy Sanders profile". ETSU Athletics. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
- ^ "ETSU spoils Vandy coach's debut 23-3 in 6th FCS over FBS win". ESPN. Associated Press. September 4, 2021.
- ^ "Bucs March Into Quarterfinals Following Wild Finish". ETSU Athletics. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
- ^ "Randy Sanders announces retirement from football". ETSU Athletics. Retrieved December 13, 2021.