Sanders Joins Kentucky Football Staff

**bishop4uk** · January 23rd, 2006, 08:32 PM

Randy Sanders, former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Tennessee, has been named an assistant coach at Kentucky and will work with the Wildcat quarterbacks, Coach Rich Brooks announced Monday.
"We're fortunate that we are able to get a coach with as much experience with quarterbacks ? as well as an offensive coordinator ? in the Southeastern Conference to join our staff,"? Brooks said.

"Randy is much like (current UK offensive line coach) Jimmy Heggins, who spent most of his career at one institution before coming to Kentucky. Jimmy has done such a great job for us and I'm sure Randy will help us in the same way."?

Sanders spent 22 seasons as a player and coach at the University of Tennessee, including the last seven as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He was named offensive coordinator after the 1998 regular season when David Cutcliffe became head coach at Ole Miss. Sanders' first game as offensive coordinator was the 1999 Fiesta Bowl when the Volunteers defeated Florida State for the national championship.

A native of Morristown, Tenn., Sanders was a quarterback on the Tennessee football team from 1984-88. He earned four varsity letters and was a four-year member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll. He remained with the team as a volunteer assistant coach, helping coach the quarterbacks, in 1989-90 under Coach Johnny Majors.

Sanders was promoted to full-time assistant coach in 1991, working with the wide receivers in 1991-92. New head coach Phillip Fulmer named him running backs coach and recruiting coordinator in 1993. Sanders stayed in those roles, recruiting the players that took Tennessee to the national title, before moving to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach following Cutcliffe's departure.

While Sanders was on the Tennessee coaching staff, the Volunteers had a record of 162-46-2 (.776) and won four SEC championships and six Eastern Division crowns in addition to their national title. The Vols played in 16 bowl games, including four Citrus Bowls, three Fiesta Bowls, three Cotton Bowls, two Peach Bowls, and once each in the Sugar, Orange, Hall of Fame, and Gator bowls.

"I'm very excited to join the University of Kentucky,"? Sanders said. "I've always had great respect for Kentucky and their fans and I've developed great respect for Coach Brooks with what he's doing here. I look forward to working with the quarterbacks and having a successful season

**CoeburnCane** · January 24th, 2006, 09:21 AM

Miami dodged a bullet there--thank God he's not coming to Coral Gables to mess up our offense.

**imported_mega** · January 24th, 2006, 09:59 AM

Im hoping Whipple comes to the U still, Feldman said its going to take at least 2 more weeks since the steelers havent been eliminated yet.

**Ironlung** · January 24th, 2006, 02:24 PM

Sanders was a good rb and qb coach, he's just not an OC.

**imported_burrhead** · January 24th, 2006, 02:37 PM

won a national championship. Pretty decent

**imported_mega** · January 24th, 2006, 02:37 PM

thats what I heard man, they always said he was a good running back coach. To be honest, Sanders play calling wasnt but half the problem. There was plenty of blame to go around on offense. QB's need to develop, the line needs to block better. If that happens, recievers get open and play calling looks better. Same thing at the U, we are a mirror image right now.

**imported_OleTob** · January 24th, 2006, 02:39 PM

Sanders wasn't all that bad alot of the players dropped balls that should have been caught and fumbles which are part of the game...But he got the blame as do all coaches...Although I know alot of Vols fans are glad to see him go.

**imported_neutral** · January 24th, 2006, 06:05 PM

Should be a good fit for UK and their football team. Will be able to bring a lot to UK that has been lacking, biggest problem i seen at UT was everyone knew their plays and as was said. A lot of dropped passes. UK should benefit from this move.