Bio

Coach Sanders is entering his thirteenth season as the head coach of the New Mexico Junior College women’s basketball team.  In 12 years Coach Sanders has been able to lead NMJC from three wins and last place in the conference to five conference championships, 2 co-conference championships, four regional championships, and six trips to the national tournment. Coach Sanders was named The Western Junior College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year five times and the District E Coach of the Year four times for the team's accomplishments. In 2015, Coach Sanders was also a Finalist for the WBCA Coach of The Year Award.  Coach Sanders combined record at NMJC is 279-106.

Sanders previously coached at Eastern Oklahoma State College. In his seven years at EOS, Sanders tallied a combined record of 145-70. He was recognized in 2001 as Regional Coach of the Year to go along with the team honor of reaching the NJCAA Final Four. His teams also captured two conference championships, and one regional championship. While at EOS, Sanders recruited and coached ten Academic All-Americans, three NJCAA All-Americans, and one player earned the prestigious Kodak All-American honor. Coach Sanders began his career at the high school level in Oklahoma. He has a combined high school record of 340-169. His teams reached the Oklahoma State Tournament 7 times, including 2 State Championships and one State Runner-up. Coach Sanders was named Oklahoma Coach of the year in 1996 to go along with his 12 conference, ten Area, and three Regional Coach of the Year honors. Coach Sanders was inducted into the Oklalhoma Girls Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2011 for his accomplishments as a high school coach.

Coach Sanders earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education degree from Cameron University in 1979. He earned his Master of Education degree in Education/Administration at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1984.

Sanders and his wife Nedra have three daughters and eight grandchildren. Shawn has two of the eight, Payton and Lane. Kristin and husband Jeremiah have four of the eight: Braden, Abbe', Josiah, and Sawyer. Stefanie and husband RJ have two, Christopher, and Cason.

Coach Sanders has coached a total of 40 years, including 21 at the high school level and 20 at the junior college level and owns a 764-342 overall record in girls basketball. A Combined Record of 817-394.

High School Accomplishments

• High School Career Record 53-46 (Boys Basketball)
• High School Career Record 340-169 (Girls Basketball)
• High School Combined Career Record 393-215
• 2 State Championships (1 as a Head Coach, 1 as an Assistant Coach)
• 7 State Tournament appearances
• 1 State Runner-up
• Coached 11 All-State Selection Players
• 10 time All-Area Coach of the Year
• 12 time Conference Coach of the Year
• 3 time Regional Coach of the Year
• 1996 Oklahoma Coach of the Year
• Oklahoma Hall of Fame Game Coach
• Oklahoma All-State Game Coach
• Coached in 5 other All-Star Games
• 2012 Named to OGBCA Hall of Fame

Junior College Accomplishments

• 2019 NJCAA National Runner-Up
• Junior College Career Record of 424-173
• 3 National Final Four Finish
• 8 Conference Championships
• 5 Regional Championships
• Coached 10 Academic All-Americans
• Coached 6 NJCAA All-Americans, 1 Honorable Mention
• Coached 1 Kodak All-American
• 2001 Region II Coach of the Year
• 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012 WJCAC Coach of the Year
• 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012 Region V Coach of the Year
• 7 National Tournament Appearances
• 2015 Finalist for WBCA Coach of The Year