Mike Sanford

Sanford is in his second stint on The Farm, having worked with the Cardinal quarterbacks from 2007-08 as an offensive assistant.

Sanford worked closely with 2012 Doak Walker Award semifinalist Stepfan Taylor, who became Stanford’s all-time career rushing leader (4,300 yards) by breaking Darrin Nelson’s record which stood since 1981.

Selected 140th overall in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, Taylor collected 40 career rushing touchdowns (second best in school history) and 45 total touchdowns (first). The 2013 Rose Bowl Offensive MVP was the first Stanford player ever to record three straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

Under Sanford’s direction, the deep and versatile Cardinal rushing attack ranked 18th nationally in 2011, averaging 210.6 yards per game. Stanford’s 2,738 yards were the third highest single-season mark in school history. The Cardinal also set a single-game record for rushing yardage when it rolled up 446 yards against No. 22 Washington.

Stanford’s ground game keyed an offense that ranked seventh nationally in scoring average at 43.2 points/game and eighth in total offense at 489.3 yards/game.

While at Western Kentucky, Sanford oversaw an offensive unit that featured running back Bobby Rainey, who finished third nationally in rushing average (137.42) and 11th in all-purpose yardage (156.58).

Prior to joining the staff at Western Kentucky, Sanford worked as the tight ends and fullbacks coach at Yale, where he also served as the program’s recruiting coordinator.

A former quarterback at Boise State, Sanford played on four bowl teams during his collegiate career as the Broncos compiled a cumulative 54-9 record during his stay, including an 11-1 record in 2004 which culminated with a Liberty Bowl victory over Louisville.

Following his playing career, Sanford served as a volunteer student assistant on the Bronco coaching staff for spring practice in 2005 before accepting a graduate assistant position at UNLV, where he worked with his father, Mike, then the head coach of the Rebels and former offensive coordinator at Stanford.

Sanford received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Boise State in 2005. Mike and his wife, Anne-Marie, reside on the Stanford campus with their daughter, Peyton.