Nick Sanchez is in his first year at the helm of the Gyrene defense. Sanchez was hired in July of 2012 and is looking forward to implementing a new defense for the Gyrenes. Along with being the defensive coordinator, Sanchez also is the Strength and Conditioning coordinator. He comes to Ave Maria from his most recent position as a Defensive Assistant at Syracuse University in New York.
As a defensive graduate assistant, Sanchez joined the Syracuse staff in February 2011. At Syracuse, Sanchez assisted with coaching the Defensive Backs during the 2011 and assisted with coaching the Linebackers during the Spring of 2012.
A 2008 graduate of Stanford University, Sanchez signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent and then played with the Central Valley Coyotes and the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League. At the conclusion of his professional football career, Sanchez began his coaching career as the defensive backs mentor at Pace University in 2010. He coached all-conference standouts David Lopez and Jason Washington.
A four-year letter winner and three-year starter at Stanford, Sanchez closed his Cardinal career with 153 tackles, including eight for a loss of yards, seven interceptions, 19 passes defended three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. As a senior, Sanchez played for current Syracuse defensive coordinator Scott Shafer, who held the same position at Stanford that season.
Coach Sanchez is looking forward to being back in his home state of Florida and leading the Gyrenes to defensive success in the near future.
