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Photo by: Brad Rempel
Sanders to Pursue Prep Head Coaching Position
7/31/2026 10:22:00 AM | Wrestling
MINNEAPOLIS – After nearly 20 seasons with the Minnesota wrestling program, first as a student-athlete and then a staff member, assistant coach Zach Sanders is stepping down to become a head coach at one of the top prep programs in the country.
Sanders is set to take over as head coach at St. Michael-Albertville High School in St. Michael, Minn. The Knights have won 12 team championships, tied for the second most in state history, including each of the last three Class AAA crowns. Notable Gophers who have competed for the school include the Thorn brothers (Michael, David and Thomas) and the McKee brothers (Mitch and Patrick), as well as current Gophers Jed Wester and John Murphy.
"What can I say? I am a lucky guy," Sanders said. "I remember being a seventh grader watching the 2002 NCAA Championships and cheering on the Gophers to their second NCAA team title. Then promising myself that I would do whatever it took to wear the Maroon and Gold someday. Representing my home state as an athlete and a coach was an honor I'll never take for granted. It felt like I had the whole state in my corner.
"I'm thankful for the last 20 years at the University of Minnesota as an athlete and coach. I was fortunate to be coached by legendary coaches like J Robinson, Marty Morgan, Joe Russell, Brandon Eggum and Luke Becker. I was surrounded by teammates who became lifelong friends. The tradition, the culture, and the camaraderie are what made Minnesota so special and they're still what make it special today. The brotherhood is truly multi-generational. I"ll always be part of the program. I'll always be a Gopher!
"Special thanks to my family, childhood heroes, my coaches, my teammates, my athletes, colleagues, and the Gopher fans who made my experience one of a kind. See you around!"
A native of Wabasha, Minn., Sanders joined the Minnesota wrestling staff as an administrative assistant following a successful career on the mat for the Gophers. The 2016-17 season was his first as the team's volunteer assistant coach, but fifth on the program's staff. Prior to the 2023-24 campaign, he was promoted to assistant coach.
During his tenure, he helped 10 wrestlers at 125, 133 and 141 lbs., earn 18 All-America honors. In addition, 38 wrestlers at those weight classes qualified for the NCAA Championships, highlighted by Ethan Lizak's runner-up finish in 2017, Vance VomBaur's back-to-back All-America honors in 2024 and 2025, as well as Jore Volk's seventh-place finish a year ago. In addition, Chris Dardanes was Big Ten champion at 133 lbs., in 2015.
"Zach Sanders has meant so much to the University of Minnesota wrestling program, both as an athlete and as a coach," Gophers head coach Brandon Eggum said. "As one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Gopher history, a four-time All-American, and someone who was always proud to represent the state of Minnesota, Zach has always embodied the values of our program. We are grateful to have been able to help Zach live out his childhood dream of wearing the Maroon and Gold and for our 20 years we have shared together having him a part of our family.
"While we're certainly going to miss him, we're incredibly excited for Zach and his family as he takes over one of the premier high school wrestling programs in Minnesota and the country. This is a tremendous opportunity, and we have no doubt he'll have a lasting impact on the young people he coaches. We're grateful for everything Zach has given to Minnesota Wrestling and look forward to watching his continued success as a head coach."
On the mat, Sanders became the seventh four-time All-American in Gopher history with a third-place finish in the 125-pound division at the 2012 NCAA Championships. He finished his career ranked sixth on the Gophers' all-time wins list with a record of 134-27.
Sanders was ranked as high as No. 1 nationally during his senior season. He was named Team MVP for the second year in a row after going 32-4. Sanders took second at the Big Ten Championships, his best finish following two consecutive third-place showings.
Sanders finished sixth at the NCAA Tournament as a freshman before finishing fifth his next two years. He was named to the Amateur Wrestling News All-Rookie Team and voted both Most Outstanding Freshman and Most Exciting Wrestler by his teammates in 2009. Sanders was also an Academic All-Big Ten honoree during his career.
Following the end of his senior season, Sanders competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials in freestyle wrestling. Sanders represented USA Wrestling abroad numerous times, including the 2019 World Cup. Sanders also qualified for the World Team Trials nearly 10 times in his career.
Sanders is set to take over as head coach at St. Michael-Albertville High School in St. Michael, Minn. The Knights have won 12 team championships, tied for the second most in state history, including each of the last three Class AAA crowns. Notable Gophers who have competed for the school include the Thorn brothers (Michael, David and Thomas) and the McKee brothers (Mitch and Patrick), as well as current Gophers Jed Wester and John Murphy.
"What can I say? I am a lucky guy," Sanders said. "I remember being a seventh grader watching the 2002 NCAA Championships and cheering on the Gophers to their second NCAA team title. Then promising myself that I would do whatever it took to wear the Maroon and Gold someday. Representing my home state as an athlete and a coach was an honor I'll never take for granted. It felt like I had the whole state in my corner.
"I'm thankful for the last 20 years at the University of Minnesota as an athlete and coach. I was fortunate to be coached by legendary coaches like J Robinson, Marty Morgan, Joe Russell, Brandon Eggum and Luke Becker. I was surrounded by teammates who became lifelong friends. The tradition, the culture, and the camaraderie are what made Minnesota so special and they're still what make it special today. The brotherhood is truly multi-generational. I"ll always be part of the program. I'll always be a Gopher!
"Special thanks to my family, childhood heroes, my coaches, my teammates, my athletes, colleagues, and the Gopher fans who made my experience one of a kind. See you around!"
A native of Wabasha, Minn., Sanders joined the Minnesota wrestling staff as an administrative assistant following a successful career on the mat for the Gophers. The 2016-17 season was his first as the team's volunteer assistant coach, but fifth on the program's staff. Prior to the 2023-24 campaign, he was promoted to assistant coach.
During his tenure, he helped 10 wrestlers at 125, 133 and 141 lbs., earn 18 All-America honors. In addition, 38 wrestlers at those weight classes qualified for the NCAA Championships, highlighted by Ethan Lizak's runner-up finish in 2017, Vance VomBaur's back-to-back All-America honors in 2024 and 2025, as well as Jore Volk's seventh-place finish a year ago. In addition, Chris Dardanes was Big Ten champion at 133 lbs., in 2015.
"Zach Sanders has meant so much to the University of Minnesota wrestling program, both as an athlete and as a coach," Gophers head coach Brandon Eggum said. "As one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Gopher history, a four-time All-American, and someone who was always proud to represent the state of Minnesota, Zach has always embodied the values of our program. We are grateful to have been able to help Zach live out his childhood dream of wearing the Maroon and Gold and for our 20 years we have shared together having him a part of our family.
"While we're certainly going to miss him, we're incredibly excited for Zach and his family as he takes over one of the premier high school wrestling programs in Minnesota and the country. This is a tremendous opportunity, and we have no doubt he'll have a lasting impact on the young people he coaches. We're grateful for everything Zach has given to Minnesota Wrestling and look forward to watching his continued success as a head coach."
On the mat, Sanders became the seventh four-time All-American in Gopher history with a third-place finish in the 125-pound division at the 2012 NCAA Championships. He finished his career ranked sixth on the Gophers' all-time wins list with a record of 134-27.
Sanders was ranked as high as No. 1 nationally during his senior season. He was named Team MVP for the second year in a row after going 32-4. Sanders took second at the Big Ten Championships, his best finish following two consecutive third-place showings.
Sanders finished sixth at the NCAA Tournament as a freshman before finishing fifth his next two years. He was named to the Amateur Wrestling News All-Rookie Team and voted both Most Outstanding Freshman and Most Exciting Wrestler by his teammates in 2009. Sanders was also an Academic All-Big Ten honoree during his career.
Following the end of his senior season, Sanders competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials in freestyle wrestling. Sanders represented USA Wrestling abroad numerous times, including the 2019 World Cup. Sanders also qualified for the World Team Trials nearly 10 times in his career.
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