Cody Sanderson is heading into his ninth season as the associate head coach of the Penn State wrestling program. Sanderson, who played a major role in the Iowa State wrestling program’s rapid ascent as Big 12 powerhouse and NCAA team title contender, is the oldest brother of Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson and a former head coach himself. Sanderson is in his 16th year as a collegiate coach.

Sanderson served as associate head coach at Iowa State during brother Cael’s three-year run as a mentor of the Cyclones. Prior to joining Cael in Ames, Iowa, Cody was the head coach at Utah Valley State (now Utah Valley University), where he started the school’s wrestling program from scratch in 2003. Sanderson’s efforts helped create the nation’s first Division I wrestling program started from the ground up in 30 years. Prior to beginning the program at UVU, Cody served as administrative assistant at Iowa State from 2001-03.

As an athlete, Sanderson was a two-time national finalist at 133 pounds, advancing to the NCAA title bout in 1999 in the Bryce Jordan Center and in 2000 in St. Louis. He ended his stellar Cyclone career with 116 wins. He also claimed the Big 12 title as a senior and helped spur ISU to a national runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships in 2000.

Sanderson graduated from Iowa State in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a pre-medicine curriculum. His wife, Sarah, was a standout gymnast at Iowa State. The couple has two sons, Kade and Mason; and a daughter, Tylar Ann.

THE SANDERSON FILE

Birthday: August 8, 1976
Birthplace:  Provo, Utah
Hometown:  Heber City, Utah
Alma Mater:  Iowa State, `00
Spouse:  Sarah
Children:  Tylar Ann, Kade, Mason

COACHING EXPERIENCE

* 2009-Pres.: Associate Head Coach, Penn State
* 2006-09: Associate Head Coach, Iowa State
* 2004-06: Head Coach, Utah Valley State
* 2001-03: Administrative Assistant, Iowa State