From Chicago to Claremont: Coach Marvin Sanders' Journey of Football and Family

CLAREMONT, Calif. - When CMS Defensive Coordinator Marvin Sanders walks onto Zinda Field, he brings with him more than three decades of coaching experience, a resume filled with stops at powerhouse programs, and memories that stretch from college bowl games to NFL sidelines. But what really stands out isn't just the X's and O's, it's the people, lessons, and relationships that have shaped his journey.
  A South Side Start
Sanders grew up on the south side of Chicago as the youngest of 12 children. Football became a path forward, one that eventually took him to the University of Nebraska, where he played under legendary coach Tom Osborne. Competing in Fiesta, Orange, and Sugar Bowls gave him a front-row seat to big-time college football.

But the first spark of his coaching life came much earlier, thanks to his high school coach, Robert Jackson.

"He took a kid who had some rough times growing up and completely changed the trajectory of my life," Sanders recalls. "That's why I coach—to give back the way he gave to me."
  Climbing the Coaching Ladder
After graduating with a degree in business administration and plans for law school, Sanders took what he thought would be a temporary job in coaching at Nebraska Wesleyan, a Division III school in Lincoln. What was supposed to be short-term turned into a lifelong calling.

From there, the climb was steady and impressive: Minnesota-Morris, Nebraska-Omaha, and his first Division I role at New Mexico State under Tony Samuel, a former Nebraska assistant. Sanders' journey continued at Colorado State, then North Carolina, then back to his alma mater, Nebraska, where he coached future stars like Ndamukong Suh and Prince Amukamara. He later spent time at USC working alongside defensive mastermind Monte Kiffin and even in the XFL with Bob Stoops.

Yet one of his most cherished stops wasn't at a college or pro stadium. It was at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, where he served as head coach - and got to coach his son.

"That was the best coaching year of my life," Sanders says. "I still remember senior day with my wife and my son on the field. Those are memories I'll never forget."
  Defining Moments and Favorite Memories
Across his career, Sanders has experienced unforgettable football highs. One was returning to Nebraska in 2003 - not as a player, but as a coach. "Sitting in the same office I had visited countless times as a student-athlete, now as the coach in that chair, was surreal," he remembers.

Another came at North Carolina, in a nail-biting rivalry game against NC State. With seconds left, the Wolfpack had the ball on the one-yard line. Sanders' head coach told him to expect the same play again and dared him to call the defense to stop it. Sanders trusted his gut, made the call, and watched his defense stuff the run at the goal line.

"Every time I think of that play, it makes me smile," he says.

And then there are the quieter moments - the calls and messages from former players who thank him for helping shape their lives. "That's what really defines my career," Sanders says. "Not just the games, but the relationships."
  The CMS Difference
With that background, you might think Division III football would feel like a step back. Not for Sanders.

"What makes this place special is the balance," he explains. "At Nebraska or USC, football is the biggest thing. Here, our guys are training to be CEOs, doctors, engineers, while also being great football players. They love the game just as much as anyone I've ever coached, but they're also preparing for the 40 years after football - not just the four years they're here."

The scholar-leader-athlete model means Sanders is coaching players who don't just memorize plays - they want to understand the why. "Our guys will stop me mid-meeting and ask, 'Coach, why are we doing it this way instead of that way?'" he laughs. "They challenge me to think differently, and I love it."

He's also constantly impressed by the time management skills CMS athletes develop. With demanding coursework and leadership expectations, players are expected to master schedules, balance priorities, and still bring their best to the field. "It's incredible what they juggle," Sanders says. "And it makes me proud to see them thrive."
  Building a Standard
Since joining CMS in 2021, Sanders has helped mold the defense into one of the most disciplined units in the SCIAC. He credits early leaders like Stiles Satterlee and Ben Cooney for setting the tone.

"They wanted to be great and just needed someone to guide them," Sanders says. "Now, the standard is set. Every guy who puts on that jersey knows what it means."

That culture has produced milestones like Cooney becoming the program's first All-American selection from the American Football Coaches Association, O'Connell nearly breaking a national record with five pick-sixes, and players like Joey Asta earning pro opportunities. But the stories that stick with Sanders are about grit and commitment.

He remembers Satterlee choosing to play through pain in his final season after a second medical opinion cleared him. "He just wanted to be there for his teammates," Sanders says. "That's one of the most impressive things I've ever seen."
  Beyond Football
Off the field, Sanders is all about family and California sunshine. He and his wife spend time walking their dogs, riding electric bikes, and paddleboarding near their beachside home. He's also a proud grandfather who lights up when talking about his granddaughter and grandson.

One ritual has followed him throughout his career: before every single game, he calls his daughter, a tradition that started when she was little and continues today, even though she now has children of her own.

And yes, like many coaches, he admits to sticking with a "lucky" shirt if it helps produce wins.
  Looking Ahead
Sanders is here to win, but he's also here to help his players grow into the kind of leaders who make an impact long after their playing days.

"I hope alumni and recruits see a team that represents them - hardworking, respectful, competitive. That's what CMS football is about," he says.

From Chicago to Claremont, from bowl games to beach walks, Sanders' career has been a testament to the power of relationships, resilience, and love of the game. And at CMS, he believes the story is just beginning.

"Claremont is second to none," he says with a smile. "And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."