Bio

David Sanders begins his third year as head men’s basketball coach. Sanders came to Co-Lin in 2021 after spending eight years building Callaway High School in Jackson, Mississippi into a basketball powerhouse.

Sanders compiled a 182-40 record during his eight years at Callaway High School including three state championship wins (2020, 2015, 2014). During his time at Callaway, over 30 seniors have received scholarships to play collegiate basketball. 

Prior to being named the head coach at Callaway, Sanders had head coaching stints at Northwest Rankin High School and Northwest Rankin Middle School. He also served as an assistant coach at his alma mater Provine High School. 

Sanders is a graduate of Northwest Mississippi Community College. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Mississippi. Sanders is currently working on another master’s degree in coaching education from Ohio University. 

He was named the Clarion-Ledger’s Coach of the Year in 2019-2020 and 2014-2015 and was named Metro Coach of the Year in 2013-2014. Three of his Callaway teams have been nationally ranked by the USA Today. Sanders is a member of the Mississippi Association of Coaches and the Mississippi Professional Educators. 

A three-year letterman at The University of Mississippi, Sanders was a starter on the Sweet Sixteen that finished ninth in the country in 2000-2001. He received numerous awards at Ole Miss including Most Valuable Player and Best Defensive Player. Sanders played three seasons abroad with the Icelandic (Iceland), Swiss (Switzerland) and Turkish (Turkey) Leagues. 

During his high school career, Sanders was recognized with several awards including Mississippi’s Mr. Basketball, Gatorade Player of the Year, All-State, and All-Metro Player of the Year. 

In his second year at Co-Lin, Sanders led the Wolves to their first MACCC Championship since the 1998-99 season and was also named the MACCC Coach of the Year.

Sanders and his wife, Dr. Tekla Sanders, are the parents of four children, David, 15; Luke, 14; Noah, 12; and Clara, 11.

Quick Facts:

• Was a three-year letterman at The University of Mississippi

• Played three seasons abroad

• Led Callaway High School to three state championships in eight years

• Was named the Clarion-Ledger's Coach of the Year 2019-2020 and 2014-2015 and named Metro Coach of the Year in 2013-2014

• 2022-23 MACCC Champion and MACCC Coach of the Year