A former four-year standout at Stanford, Nick Sanchez begins his second year on the Midwestern State staff to coach cornerbacks heading into the 2020 season.
After graduating as a class valedictorian, Sanchez earned four letters and started three seasons at cornerback at Stanford. He amassed 153 tackles with seven interceptions and defended 19 passes in 42 games for the Cardinal from 2004-07.
Following his collegiate career, he signed a free-agent deal with the Oakland Raiders then played with the Central Valley Coyotes and Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League.
Sanchez served as an assistant coach at Western Michigan last season where the Broncos ranked 67th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with 10 interceptions.
That came on the heels of three top seasons at FCS UAlbany where earned promotion to assistant defensive coordinator following his final season with the Great Danes.
UAlbany ranked in the nation's Top 20 in scoring defense in his last two seasons after his cornerback group showed growth intercepting 32 passes in his first two seasons ranking 21st in FCS with 15 picks in 2015 and 12th with 17 interceptions in 2016.
Sanchez rose to associate head coach and defensive coordinator in his previous stop at Ava Maria University in Florida (2012-14) helping the NAIA Gyrenes to an 8-2 overall record and an Independent Conference championship in 2013. He was selected to coordinate the defense for the NAIA team in the NAIA vs. D2 Senior Bowl.
Prior to Ava Maria, Sanchez was a graduate assistant at Syracuse helping with defensive backs during the 2011 season before assisting with linebackers during the spring of 2012.
Sanchez started his coaching career mentoring defensive backs at NCAA Division II Pace University in 2010.
Playing Career
Sanchez played four seasons including three campaigns as a starting cornerback at Stanford where he finished his career with 153 tackles, eight tackles for loss, seven interceptions and registered one touchdown on a blocked punt recovery.
Following his collegiate career, Sanchez signed as an undrafted with the Oakland Raiders, then played with the Central Valley Coyotes and Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League.
Sanchez was a three-sport prep standout at Belle Glad Day School in Florida. He earned all-state honors as a running back and defensive back during his career. Sanchez also earned three basketball and four in baseball.
He led all three teams to district titles as a senior in 2002-03 rushing for 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns with six interceptions in football, averaging 15 points, five assists and five steals in basketball and hitting .482 with 20 stolen bases on the diamond.
Personal
Sanchez, who was high school class valedictorian, earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Stanford.
The Sanchez File
Graduate Assistant (DB) at Pace (N.Y.) - 2010
Graduate Assistant (DB/LB) at Syracuse - 2011
Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator at Ave Maria (Fla.) - 2012-15
Assistant Defensive Coordinator (DB) at Albany (N.Y.) - 2016-17
Assistant Coach (DB) at Western Michigan - 2018
Assistant Coach (DB) at Midwestern State - 2019-
