Dillon Sanders is in his third year with Utah State’s football program as a graduate assistant for the Aggies’ defense. In his role, Sanders assists the defensive coaches with daily football operations, primarily working with the outside linebackers and defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Kevin Clune.
As a graduate assistant in 2014, Sanders helped Utah State’s defense finished the season ranking first in the Mountain West and 12th in the nation in scoring at 19.7 points per game. USU also ranked first in the MW and fourth nationally in both sacks (3.57 pg) and tackles for loss (8.1 pg), second in the MW and eighth in the nation in passes intercepted (19), second in the MW and ninth in the nation in defensive touchdowns (5), second in the MW and 11th in the nation in turnovers forced (30), second in the MW and 17th nationally in passing efficiency defense (111.42), first in the MW and 24th in the nation in rushing defense (130.7 ypg), and second in the MW and 30th nationally in total defense (356.1 ypg).
In 2013, Sanders helped the Aggies rank first in the Mountain West and seventh in the nation in scoring allowing just 17.1 points per game, the second-fewest allowed by an Aggie defense since 1971. USU also ranked first in the MW and eighth in the nation in rushing defense (106.7 ypg), its fewest since 1968, first in the MW and 12th in the nation in total defense (330.9 ypg), and first in the MW and 15th in the nation in passing efficiency defense (113.2).
During his first season at Utah State, Sanders worked with Aggie safeties Brian Suite and Maurice Alexander, who are both currently in the NFL with the Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams, respectively.
Prior to Utah State, Sanders spent five years (2008-12) as the offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator for the Colorado Ice of the Indoor Football League (IFL), helping the Ice win the Mountain West Division Championship in 2011. During his time with the Ice, he helped coach five all-league players, including offensive lineman Mario Henderson, who signed a professional contract with the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League.
Sanders also spent two years as an undergraduate assistant coach at Northern Colorado, where he received his bachelor’s degree in business finance in 2010.
Sanders began his coaching career as a defensive backs coach at Golden (Colo.) High School.
Sanders began his collegiate career at Black Hills State in Spearfish, S.D., before transferring to Colorado School of Mines, where he played quarterback and wide receiver. He prepped at Centaurus High School in Lafayette, Colo.