Report: Cory Sanders Named a Finalist for SEC Opening

Cory Sanders is in the running for a position on the Texas Longhorns’ coaching staff.

Sanders is one of the three finalists for the Texas safeties coach role, along with Rutgers assistant Mark Orphey and Notre Dame assistant Mike Mickens, according to Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods. Texas safeties coach Blake Gideon left to become the defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech.

Pitt defensive coordinator Randy Bates has been linked to the Ohio State defensive coordinator opening, and while those are just rumors right now, Sanders has been viewed a potential successor to Bates down the line.

According to my sources, Notre Dame DBs coach Mike Mickens, Pitt Assistant Head Coach (Secondary/Safeties) Cory Sanders, and Rutgers cornerbacks coach Mark Orphey are the top three candidates to replace former Longhorn safeties coach Blake Gideon. pic.twitter.com/RxogTFXWat

— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) February 10, 2025

Sanders, who is entering his eighth season as the safeties coach, was promoted to assistant head coach, filling the void left by former defensive line coach Charlie Partridge departing for the NFL, before the 2024 season.

“From the day we hired Cory back in 2018, he has been an outstanding resource for our entire program,” Pat Narduzzi said in the Pitt release. “This promotion reflects the deep impact he already makes on our players, coaches and staff. Cory is an excellent teacher and mentor who makes everyone around him better. He sees the larger picture in everything we do. Everyone in our building will benefit from his expanded role with our program.”

Sanders has worked with secondary coach Archie Collins to build the Pitt secondary into one of the top units on the team every year, helping the produce NFL Draft picks like Damar Hamlin, Brandon Hill and Erick Hallett.

His recruiting work, covering areas across the country, is an asset that Pitt can ill afford to lose. He’s a strong recruiter in Pennsylvania and down south.

The former Saint Joseph’s (Ind.) College head coach and alum is still viewed favorably as a potential long-term successor to Randy Bates as the defensive coordinator.

“I am incredibly grateful to Coach Narduzzi for giving me the opportunity to make an even greater impact for Pitt football,” Sanders said. “The University of Pittsburgh is a tremendous place and it has been such an honor to work on behalf of the Pitt football program the past six years. I truly believe our best is yet to come and I’m excited to work with our coaches and players to bring another ACC championship trophy back to Pitt.”

But of course, things move quickly in college football and Texas is a major brand. It bears watching in the coming days.