Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LOGAN — Indiana State University announced Friday the hiring of Mike Sanford as its new head football coach. Sanford spent the 2012 season at Utah State as the team’s assistant head coach, working with the running backs and tight ends.
“I’m really happy for Mike. He wants to be a head football coach again and it’s hard to get those jobs,” said fourth-year USU head coach Gary Andersen. “I know it’s hard for him to leave Utah State University, but he feels like this is a great opportunity and he has made a decision that he thinks betters himself and his family. I’m very supportive of it and I wish him and his family all the best.”
During the 2012 season, Sanford helped coach an Aggie offense that ranked 26th nationally in total offense (460.5 ypg), while ranking 36th in scoring offense (34.4 ppg), and 37th in the nation in both rushing offense (192.5 ypg) and passing offense (268.0 ypg).
Individually, Sanford coached senior running back Kerwynn Williams who earned first-team all-Western Athletic Conference honors in 2012 as he ranked first in the WAC and 11th in the nation in all-purpose yards (163.0 ypg), first in the WAC and 23rd in the nation in rushing (106.4 ypg), and third in the WAC and tied for 34th nationally in scoring (8.5 ppg).
Thus far in 2012, Williams has rushed for 1,277 yards on 200 carries with 12 touchdowns, while catching 43 passes for 663 yards and five touchdowns, all of which lead the team.
Sanford also coached senior tight end Kellen Bartlett who earned honorable mention all-WAC honors in 2012 as he has caught 37 passes for 261 yards with five touchdowns, which ranks tied for first on the team.
Utah State concludes its 2012 season at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, which will be held Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. (MT) at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho.
Doug Hoffman is the assistant athletic director for Utah State University Athletic Media Relations.
