East Tennessee State head football coach Randy Sanders has been placed on paid administrative leave by the university.
In a one-sentence statement released on Monday, the school said it was investigating a "potential violation of university policy." No other details were given regarding the situation.
Breaking : ETSU just announced head football coach Randy Sanders has been placed on paid administrative leave “pending the investigation of potential violation of university policy.” No other information released.
— Josh Smith (@JoshSmithWJHL) April 2, 2018
According to Joe Avento of the Johnson City Press, Sanders' suspension comes after he hit a player in practice. The coach allegedly hit freshman defensive back Tyree Robison in a practice last Friday after he failed to take a knee during a drill. Sanders was allowed to coach at the team's next practice on Saturday.
UPDATE: Sources say Sanders struck ETSU football player https://t.co/ft28ffDBdI via @JCPress
— Johnson City Press (@JCPress) April 2, 2018
Sanders was hired at ETSU in December to replace the retired Carl Torbush who revived the football program in 2015.
Sanders' coaching career began in 1989 at Tennessee — his alma mater. He worked in various roles on Tennessee's offensive staff until 2005. He spent the next few years from 2006-2012 at Kentucky as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. Before accepting the Buccaneers job he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Florida State beginning in 2013.
According to WJHL in Johnson City, Tenn., Sanders will not be at the team's spring game on Thursday, April 3.
This situation certainly changes plans for Thursday night's spring game. No timetable for Sanders return, but told he will not be there Thursday. Mike Rader will run the offense
— Kane O'Neill (@WJHL_Kane) April 2, 2018