PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In his eighth season with Pat Narduzzi and holding the title of assistant head coach the last two years, Pitt promoted Cory Sanders to defensive coordinator on Sunday.
Long-time defensive coordinator Randy Bates retired after the Military Bowl and the other main internal candidate, Ryan Manalac, left to become the defensive coordinator at UConn.
"Cory has earned this opportunity every step of the way," Narduzzi said in a statement from the team. "From the time he joined our staff, he's consistently shown leadership and football intelligence, but more importantly, he has a deep understanding of our team and how all the pieces fit together on and off the field. He's earned the respect of everyone in this building, and I have complete confidence in him leading our defense as we begin this next chapter of Pitt Football."
"I'm incredibly grateful to Coach Narduzzi and the University of Pittsburgh for the trust that's been placed in me," Sanders said. "I also owe a thank you to all the mentors and coaches who helped me get to this point, especially Coach Randy Bates. He and Coach Narduzzi believed in me and hired me eight years ago, and I've learned so much from them. Their leadership and trust helped put me in this position today.
"Pitt has been home for a long time and has meant a great deal to me and my family since the day we arrived," he added. "I'm fired up to continue building on the defensive foundation that's been established here. We'll remain aggressive and put a defense on the field that plays fast, relentless and physical."
Before Pitt, Sanders was the defensive backs coach at Western Michigan, defensive coordinator at the University of West Florida, defensive coordinator and two-year head coach at the St. Joseph’s (Indiana) College and defensive backs at North Central College and Elmhurst College. Sanders was a three-time captain and two-time all-conference at St. Joseph’s.