LOGAN – The University of Michigan football team announced Friday that they have hired former Utah State University Offensive Coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Sanford, Jr. to do the same thing for the Gophers. Sanford will be a co-offensive coordinator with Matt Simon who was already on the Minnesota coaching staff, coaching wide receivers.
Sanford joined Gary Andersen’s staff a year ago after having spent two years as the head coach of Western Kentucky.
#Gophers @Coach_Fleck names Mike Sanford Jr. offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. https://t.co/EakyoZniMI#SkiUMah // #RTB pic.twitter.com/4yUpenF6XX
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) January 3, 2020
“I am thrilled to welcome Mike, his wife Anne-Marie and kids Peyton, Gunnar and Griffin to Minnesota,” said Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck in a statement. “I have known Mike for many years, and he will be an elite addition to our staff. Mike is one of the brightest young minds in the game and brings a wealth of experience to our offensive staff room and our offensive system.”
Under Sanford’s tutelage, USU junior quarterback Jordan Love threw for 3,402 yards and 20 touchdowns, senior running back Gerold Bright ran for 941 yards and 9 touchdowns, and Siaosi Mariner finished with 987 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. The Aggies finished the 2019 season 7-6 after losing to Kent State in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl 51-41.
Offensively, the Aggies averaged 29.2 points and 431.3 yards of offense a game.
After Sanford’s departure, USU will be looking for its third offensive coordinator in three seasons.