Penn State head wrestling coach Cael Sanderson, leader of the two-time defending NCAA champion Nittany Lion wrestlers, has signed a contract extension that will keep him the leader of the Lion pack through the 2017 season.
“I really appreciate the gesture by Dr. Joyner and the administration to actively pursue a contract extension,” said Sanderson. “I’m thrilled that the University has confidence in our coaching team. With the hard work of Cody Sanderson and Casey Cunningham, this staff is fully enjoying their coaching responsibilities and we are excited to continue leading Penn State wrestling.”
Sanderson’s new deal runs from July 1 of this year through June of 2017 at a base salary of $175,000 per year.
“It is a real pleasure to have Cael Sanderson at Penn State University,” said Dr. David Joyner, Acting Director of Athletics. “The leadership he provides to our student-athletes is of the highest order. I am extremely pleased that we are able to announce his new contract and commitment to Penn State. We look forward to many more successful years with Cael at the helm of our wrestling program.”
Sanderson, the most accomplished athlete in the history of collegiate wrestling, has turned Penn State into a wrestling powerhouse in just three years at the helm of the program. In his first year at Penn State (2009-10), he guided the Lions to a 13-6-1 dual meet mark, 5-3 in Big Ten action, and crowned his first Big Ten Champion. The Lions finished No. 10 in the final USA Today/Coaches dual meet poll and placed ninth at NCAAs.
In 2010-11, Sanderson guided the Nittany Lions to its first-ever Southern Scuffle Co-Championship and its first Virginia Duals Championship since 1991 (2010-11). In guiding Penn State to a 6-1-1 conference mark, Sanderson equaled, at the time, the most Big Ten dual meet wins in Penn State history in just his second year at the helm of the Nittany Lions. Sanderson led Penn State to the school’s first ever Big Ten Championship on March 5-6, 2011, and was named 2011 Big Ten Coach of the Year. In the process he became the first person ever to earn both Big 12 and Big Ten Coach of the Year honors. Saving the best for last, he led the Nittany Lions to the 2011 NCAA National Championship in Philadelphia on March 17-19, Penn State’s first since 1953 and Sanderson’s first as a collegiate head coach.
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