Charleston, W.Va- University of Charleston Athletic Director, Dr. Bren Stevens, announces the hiring of a new head football coach. Dr. Bren Stevens held a press conference to announce the hiring of Quinn Sanders at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. The press conference was held inside the Russell and Martha Wehrle Innovation Center on the campus of the University of Charleston. Numerous news outlets and members of the UC community eagerly awaited to learn who would become the new leader of the football program.

After receiving over 80 applications from across the United States, Stevens and members of the search committee were able to narrow the candidate list to three individuals that were later invited to campus for in-person interviews. After an exciting search process, alumnus, Quinn Sanders was selected to take over the helm of a most successful NCAA II program. In a press release, Stevens said, "Coach Sanders' work ethic, energy, professional demeanor, leadership, and loyalty to our university has been nothing short of remarkable. During his coaching tenure, Quinn has been promoted six times, including filling in as the interim head coach for the past several weeks. I am impressed with Quinn's commitment to ensure that our football players have an incredible experience during their time with us, whether on the field, in the classroom, or in our residence halls. In addition, Quinn possesses a high level of emotional intelligence and his excitement to build strong relationships within the Charleston area is most exciting."

Sanders was able to give some of his early thoughts about his new role stating, "I'm feeling a lot of emotions right now…but one thing I can say is that it's a great day to be a Golden Eagle".

Coach Sanders went on to describe his coaching philosophy saying, "Our performance is not going to be measured by our numbers on the field, but by how we prepare our student-athletes for the rest of their lives."

Sanders is just the fourth head coach since the football program was reinstated in 2004. Quinn is the successor of Coach Pat Kirkland, who departed in January 2022 to begin a position as the Special Teams Coordinator for Jacksonville State under Head Coach, Rich Rodriguez.

Coach Sanders enrolled as a student at the University of Charleston in 2007, he would go on to become a successful collegiate athlete on the gridiron, as well as the track for the Golden Eagles in 2007. Sanders graduated with a Bachelors' Degree in Pre-Law in 2011. Following his storied playing career, Sanders began coaching at South Walton High School in Florida. Quinn would briefly return to Charleston for a stint as an intern in 2013 before being hired as the running backs coach at Midwestern State University. While at MSU, Sanders helped to guide the team to a top 10 finish in rushing yards in the nation for 2013, with two of his running backs receiving all-conference honors.

Coach Kirkland would later reach out to Quinn asking him to return to his alma mater to become a part of his staff. Coach Sanders was hired as a wide receivers coach and led the Golden Eagles to their most prolific passing season in school history. The squad would go on to break the single-season record for receiving yards and touchdowns. Coach Sanders would then be challenged to coach various positions for the Golden Eagles including, quarterbacks, receivers, passing game coordinator, and finally, offensive coordinator before eventually being hired as the new head coach for the university. Since he arrived as a full-time coach, the Golden Eagles have boasted a 42-27 overall record as Sanders has slowly climbed the football 'corporate ladder.'

In his closing statement during the press conference, Sanders stated, "One thing I can promise, is that you guys will get the best version of me every single day".

Sanders is set to take the reins of a team that finished last year with the Mountain East Conference Offensive Player of the Year and an 8-2 overall record

--UC--