Sam Sanders (born March 19, 1938) is an American former football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Alfred University from 1977 to 1984[1] and at the University at Buffalo from 1990 to 1991,[2] compiling a career college football record of 54–42–2.
Sanders played college football for Buffalo as a linebacker.[3] Upon graduating, he signed with the Buffalo Bills briefly before a knee injury forced him into retirement.[3]
Sanders spent time as the athletic director for Silver Creek Central School District before being named the defensive line coach for Lehigh.[3] In 1968, he returned to his alma mater, Buffalo, in the same capacity.[3] In 1969, he was hired as the defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator for Northern Illinois.[3] He accepted the same positions for Lehigh in 1973.[3]
Sanders was named as the successor to Alex Yunevich for Alfred in 1977.[3]
Head coaching record
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred Saxons (Independent College Athletic Conference) (1977–1984) | |||||||||
| 1977 | Alfred | 4–5 | 1–3 | 5th | |||||
| 1978 | Alfred | 5–4 | 1–2 | 3rd | |||||
| 1979 | Alfred | 7–2 | 2–1 | T–2nd | |||||
| 1980 | Alfred | 7–2–1 | 2–1 | 2nd | |||||
| 1981 | Alfred | 10–1 | 3–0 | 1st | L NCAA Division III Quarterfinal | ||||
| 1982 | Alfred | 6–4 | 2–1 | 2nd | |||||
| 1983 | Alfred | 4–5–1 | 0–2–1 | 5th | |||||
| 1984 | Alfred | 6–4 | 2–1 | 2nd | |||||
| Alfred: | 49–27–2 | 13–11–1 | |||||||
| Buffalo Bulls (NCAA Division III independent) (1990–1991) | |||||||||
| 1990 | Buffalo | 2–8 | |||||||
| 1991 | Buffalo | 3–7 | |||||||
| Buffalo: | 5–15 | ||||||||
| Total: | 54–42–2 | ||||||||
| National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth | |||||||||
References
- ^ “Sam Sanders New Head Coach Of Alfred Football”. The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. February 11, 1977. p. 37. Retrieved July 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ Gaughan, Mark (January 17, 1990). “Sanders named UB football coach”. The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 37. Retrieved July 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ a b c d e f g “New AU football coach: Sam Sanders”. Wellsville Daily Reporter. February 11, 1977. p. 10. Retrieved May 12, 2025.