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What Randy Sanders said about returning to Tennessee and playing in Neyland Stadium
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To East Tennessee State head coach Randy Sanders, the University of Tennessee is home. The Morristown, Tenn., native played quarterback for the Vols from 1984 to 1988 and was on the coaching staff from 1989 to 2005 — including serving as offensive coordinator from 1998 to 2005.
On Saturday, Sanders’ ETSU Buccaneers went to Neyland Stadium for a Week 2 matchup. While the Bucs went down 59-3, it was still a trip down memory lane for Sanders, according to Grant Ramey of 247 Sports.
“Turned out, it was kind of a big deal,” said Sanders, “I saw so many people that I hadn’t seen in a while. I saw a guy who was an RA in my dorm where I lived for three years.
“One of the ball boys came up to me and told me who his dad was. He was a manager when I was playing. I thought, ‘Holy smokes, that makes me feel old.’ I have ball boys who are my classmate’s son.”
Sanders had been to Neyland Stadium on an opposing team as an assistant at Kentucky, but this is first head coaching job.
“Talking to (Tennessee) coaches after the game, I think our guys got a lot of respect from a number of their coaches and their players, too,” said Sanders following his team’s loss in Neyland Stadium.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Lucas is a digital reporter for 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, and a high school play-by-play broadcaster. Lucas has been covering SEC football for Saturday Down South since 2018.
