CHENEY, Wash. — Eastern Washington University Football announced on Wednesday that
Eric Sanders has been elevated to become the team's new Defensive Coordinator. Sanders was originally hired by head coach
Aaron Best before the 2023 season as the team's Linebackers Coach and Defensive Run Game Coordinator.
"Elevating Coach Sanders into the Defensive Coordinator position is going to give us a different perspective, a connective energy and an aggressive unit," said Best. "His approach both on and off the field is filled with passion and intent."
Sanders boasts an impressive resume that includes stops in both college and the NFL. He served as Inside Linebackers Coach at Stanford from 2020-22, coaching All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention Curtis Robinson. During the 2019 NFL season, he worked as a defensive assistant for the New York Jets, focusing on defensive backs.
"I'm thankful for Coach Best's belief in myself and our defensive coaches," Sanders said. "We have had good discussions about football and life since I arrived at Eastern and I'm looking forward to continuing to grow as a coach and as a person in this new role. I also appreciate the support of the rest of our staff who have all been encouraging and eager to help since I was named defensive coordinator."
He takes over an Eagle defense that showed flashes and made high-impact plays in 2023 but struggled with consistency. They ranked 5th in the conference in 3rd down percentage against, 1st in 4th down percentage against, 6th in turnovers forced and 1st in defensive touchdowns (tied for 4th nationally), but 10th in overall scoring allowed and 12th in rush defense.
"We want to attack. We will encourage anticipation and fast decisions," Sanders continued. "We want the guys playing aggressively and showing enthusiasm when they make a play. We want to be creative with how we use our players and make offenses react to us, not the other way around."
Before his time in New York, Sanders spent three seasons with the Cleveland Browns (2016-18) in a defensive quality control position for linebackers and nickel corners. He also spent five seasons (2010-14) with the Oakland Raiders as both defensive and offensive quality control. He focused on defensive linemen and outside linebackers while working with tight ends on the offensive side.
Sanders will also continue to lead the Eagle linebackers in his new role.
"I'm excited about building deeper relationships with the players outside of the linebacker group. I've enjoyed being a position coach and developing a culture of hard work and love with that one group of kids but I'm eager to do that with all 50 kids on the defensive side of the ball."
Sanders' collegiate coaching career also includes previous stops at Stanford, UC Davis and Utah State. He earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology with a biological emphasis from UC Davis in 2005.
He replaces Jeff Copp, who held the same position for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
The Eagles open the 2024 regular season on Aug. 29 vs. Monmouth! Season ticket renewals for the 2024 football season are now open. Renew by March 31 to guarantee your seats for all six home games at Roos Field. Ticket packages can be renewed online via your Paciolan account, over-the-phone at 509-359-6059 or by emailing tickets@ewu.edu.
ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.
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